June 30th 2025
Samir Patel has always been keen to embrace technology that makes a real difference in care. As Director of Oaklands Rest Home, he’s led the service through several digital transformations – including being one of the first to adopt Person Centred Software back when it was just getting off the ground. “We’re always looking at how tech can support our team to deliver better care. If there’s a smarter way to do things, I want to know about it,” he says.
An interest in innovation
That mindset has shaped how Oaklands approaches every part of its operation, including audits and reporting. With more than 30 audits completed each month, Samir was keen to streamline the process and cut down on time spent writing up reports. “We had systems in place using Word and Excel, but it was fragmented. Some things were still on paper. We knew it could be better.”
That’s when he heard about InvictIQ through his Care Home DigiHive network. The platform uses AI to simplify auditing, reporting and data analysis. Samir was impressed by its potential and decided to bring it into the home. “It’s about the people who will be using it every day. We involved our team from the start, had multiple demos, gave them time to get used to the system and set a realistic timeline with regular check-ins.”
There were some early teething problems. In one home, a team member was photographing every single carbon monoxide alarm as part of their auditing. “That’s where those check-ins really help. You need to know what’s useful and what can be let go of. InvictIQ were brilliant – they joined our meetings and were open to learning with us.”
How InvictIQ has transformed auditing
Auditing and data analysis had always been a priority at Oaklands, but the process wasn’t exactly seamless. “We were using a combination of Word documents, Excel spreadsheets and the occasional bit of paper. It worked, but it was clunky and time-consuming,” he says.
They were completing over 30 audits a month, but gathering evidence and keeping everything consistent was a challenge. That’s when Samir and his team decided to give InvictIQ a try.
“We started using it earlier this year, and straight away we saw how much easier it was to manage everything in one place,” he says. Now, audits are carried out using a phone or tablet, with photos added on the spot. “Take fire exits, for example. If a hoist is blocking the exit, you snap a photo and it’s saved. If it keeps happening, we can add a daily check to track it.”
The built-in AI has also helped them to analyse the patterns they notice in the data. After each audit, the system generates a draft report with action points, which the manager can simply review and approve.
Using data to create positive change
They’re also using the system to support resident wellbeing by tracking how often residents are getting out and about. “If someone hasn’t been out in a while, we can see that and ask why. It gives us the chance to step in earlier and make a positive change.”
Most importantly, data is not used to punish or blame. It is used to understand and respond. “If falls increase, it doesn’t mean we’ve failed. It might mean someone is becoming unwell and needs more support. Being aware means we can be proactive.”
InvictIQ’s ability to link audit findings with CQC key lines of enquiry is another strength. “It helps us show regulators that we are identifying challenges and taking action. That level of transparency builds trust.”
Advice for other providers
Samir believes every tech investment should meet four key pillars: benefit for the team and residents, clear return on investment, improvement in care quality, and saving time to spend with residents. This philosophy guides his decisions and is one he encourages other providers to embrace through the network he founded, Care Home DigiHive – a community where care teams share insights, challenges, and successes. “There’s always someone further along their digital journey who’s happy to help. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.”
Photo by Igor Omilaev on Unsplash
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