For the first time: Transparency around everyday care
Bupa New Zealand Managing Director Pedro Sanchez says, “Blua is a great example of how technology can increase transparency and connection in care, while keeping the people who provide that care at the heart of the experience.
“Families often can’t be at a care home with their loved ones every day, they’ve entrusted our people with that important role. And Blua doesn’t change the human side of care or replace those important relationships, it simply gives families greater visibility and connection to the care their loved one is receiving without needing to be there in person.
“Blua gives residents, as well as approved whānau and friends, real-time updates on everyday care and wellbeing, activities in which they took part, through to what is on the menu. It helps them feel informed, reassured and involved,” Pedro says.
“It cannot be underestimated how significant this change will be for families and the level of connection and confidence it can provide,” he says.
Margaret Brown, whose husband Croydon lives at Bupa’s Bethesda Care Home, says Blua will provide important reassurance for families when they cannot be there in person.
“We’ve been married over 60 years. I currently drive every day to visit my husband. I’m not going to be able to drive for many more years. Blua will be that important fill-in so that I can see if he’s contented and how things are going. If I don’t know how he is, I get increasingly concerned. Contact like this is going to be important as we spend less time together.
If there’s ever another lockdown, for every family, the app is going to be invaluable - a direct contact that puts minds at rest.”
Blua: Digital healthcare for older New Zealanders in the future
For Bupa New Zealand, Blua is an important step towards creating a digital front door to health, wellness and assisted living services for older New Zealanders.
“Over time, we see Blua helping more people and their whānau access the right information, services and support more easily, whether they are living in a care home, village or navigating care options in the community,” adds Pedro.
"New Zealanders are living longer and entering care later with more complex health needs. It can be difficult to navigate the health system for older New Zealanders and in time we want to provide a more connected model of care that can give them confidence in how they manage their health and access the support they need,” he says.
Blua builds on a broader programme of digital tools Bupa is developing to help care teams make faster, better-informed decisions while improving the care experience for residents. This includes an AI-powered platform that gives care teams instant access to clinical guidance, and a digital deterioration early warning system that can identify when a resident's health may be changing.
“When it comes to care, we find technology works best when it supports people, rather than replaces them. Our digital tools are designed to help care teams spend more time on the high-value work of care, while providing better insight, and enabling quality and consistency of care,” says Pedro Sanchez.
