In March 2022 Durham County Council generously invested in a pilot of RITA for 12 care homes across the region. After a very successful pilot exercise, the Council further rolled our RITA in to 24 homes in March 2023. In October 2023, RITA was rolled out further to 20 care homes.
In February 2024 Durham County Council were shortlisted for an LGC award in the digital impact category.
Each home attended training and managers were urged to embed the technology in to general day to day routines,
The implementation has been closely monitored by the council and MIN which includes usage monitoring and feedback surveys.
To date we have received amazing feedback and the outcomes being achieved match those being achieved elsewhere throughout the UK.
Outcomes being reported include reductions in challenging behaviour, increased socialisation, reduced falls, reduced hospital admissions, increases in food and fluid intake and significant enhancements in mental health and stimulation!
“We have a lady that likes to sit and watch what is happening around her, but when we give her the RITA she will join in and loves to do the puzzles on there."
Every care home who received a RITA device was sent a survey to complete. We have summarised the results of these surveys below. (Click to view):
(Note: Dates are when the surveys were compiled)
RITA Pilot feedback March 2022
RITA second wave roll out feedback March 2023