Reflections from our human rights in action event

As part of the ALLIANCE Annual Digital Gathering 2022, we were delighted to showcase examples of our human rights principles in action.

These principles were developed in partnership with Scottish Care (this link will take you away from our website) and VOX Scotland (this link will take you away from our website) in 2021.

It was energising and inspiring to hear from amazing organisations that are championing a human rights-based approach to digital health and social care. There is so much good practice to celebrate and learn from.

Principle 1 – People at the Centre

We heard from Leuchie House about how they support residents at their respite centre to use technology and gain more independence. We heard that they recently turned all the rooms into Smart rooms and guests can now control their TV, lamps, and blinds with their voice.

“The human voice is as recognisable as a fingerprint”.

Find out more (this link will take you away from our website).

Principle 2 – Digital where it is best suited

Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action presented on their digital health hubs and the various services they offer to members of the public, including help with blue badge applications and Near Me appointments.

“People who are nervous about technology are also nervous about walking through the front door to ask for support”.

Find out more (this link will take you away from our website).

Principle 3 – Digital as a choice

The ALLIANCE highlighted a variety of organisations that are providing people with a choice to use digital. For example, LifeLink are providing face-to-face counselling as well as digital counselling, and the Food Train adapted their services during the pandemic to offer people the choice to pay for shopping deliveries by cash as well as debit card.

“Choice is about making people aware of the choices they have and what their rights are”.

Find out more about LifeLink or the Food Train (this link will take you away from our website).

Principle 4 – Digital inclusion not just widening access

People Know How spoke about the Connectivity Now campaign that seeks to combat data poverty. They shared how their work helped families, friends and communities stay connected during the pandemic.

“By uniting our voices, we can make ourselves heard as a voice for the people affected by data poverty”.

Find out more (this link will take you away from our website).

Principle 5 – Access and control of digital data

Mydex presented on the Macmillan My Data Store Project, a partnership between Macmillan and Mydex, which gives people access and control of their data through their cancer journeys. The Data Store allows information to be shared with the different people involved in their care, including consultants, family, and GPs.

“The personal datastore gives them the opportunity never have to fill in a form again”.

Find out more (this link will take you away from our website).

Q&A

There was rich discussion in the question-and-answer session, including opinions on giving a piece of technology a name. Declaring it is a piece of technology, and not a real human, was mentioned as important so that people can make an informed choice.

Leuchie House also highlighted how when turning their rooms into Smart Rooms, they had to be aware of privacy concerns with Alexa, and considerate about residents with the name “Alexa”.

Get Involved

If your organisation is also championing a human rights-based approach to digital health and social care, tweet us at @DHCScot (this link will take you away from our website) or email us at DHCScot@alliance-scotland.org.uk. We would love to give you a shout out!

To find out more about this project or to keep updated click here.

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