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Surrey social workers use technology to cut paperwork
About 20 social workers will use smartphone tablets to complete assessments online, the council said
About 20 social workers in Surrey are to be given smartphone tablets to find out if latest technology will cut down on time spent completing paperwork.
Surrey County Council said a public sector software company approached the local authority to see if it would test the gadget in a two-month trial.
A spokesman for the local authority said the council was spending nothing on the project.
Councillor Michael Gosling said the tablet should help save time and money.
The cabinet adult social care spokesman said it would reduce the burden of paperwork and allow social workers to focus on care.
The BlackBerry Playbook will be launched in the UK later this month.
An application has been designed that gives social workers secure mobile access to people's care records.
Staff will be able to complete assessments online and update personal details while they are making home visits.
The trial is expected to start in July.
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