The Head of Adult Social Care and Community Development presented the report to the Committee explaining a Careline Review Team was established to examine the options for upgrading obsolete equipment in the Careline monitoring centre, in sheltered housing and general needs flats that had hard-wired pull cord alarm systems and to review current arrangements for charging for the service.

He continued by informing Members the essential work was being undertaken to decommission the hard-wired pull cord community alarm system in sheltered housing blocks and general needs community alarm flats, it was explained these were to be replaced with dispersed personal alarms where required by the service user. It was also suggested that the Careline monitoring system be updated as it was obsolete and lacked the functionality required to support the service.

Members were notified that technology had evolved since community alarms were first introduced, with improved Technology, including mobile phones and digital apps it was possible for people to live in their own homes for longer.

Councillor Halden left at 8.16pm

It was discussed that by modernising the service and utilising the government funding confirmed in the budget, this  could in turn make Careline / Assistive Technology and the new telecare service free of charge to users of Adult Social Care as part of the wider prevention strategy.

Councillor Pothecary queried if residents currently receiving the service would experience any changes and sought if current users would face new charges.

The Head of Adult Social care  explained that in the long term the decommissioning of community alarm systems would enable people to live an enhanced life. He continued by explaining that monitors could be placed on doors, windows and even fridges to allow people to live in their own homes.

The Committee were notified in relation to the charges, officers were looking for a cost effective option, by completing this could bring all charges equal and would allow the service to be improved. All charges could then be removed in the long term.

During discussions it was enquired if staffing would be reduced. Officers confirmed staffing reductions were not proposed at the current time.

Councillor Redsell welcomed the report and praised Officers for the work they were completing in improving the existing service.

RESOLVED the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed to  support:

1.    To the essential work being undertaken to decommission the hard-wired pull cord community alarm system in sheltered housing blocks and general needs community alarm flats, and to replace them with dispersed personal alarms where required by the service user.

2.    To the plan to upgrade the Careline monitoring system which is also obsolete and lacks the functionality required to support the service.

3.    To develop the Careline service into a new, enhanced and expanded telecare and assistive technology service, linked to telemedicine services where appropriate;

4.    In relation to charging for Careline and the new telecare service:

·         To make Careline / Assistive Technology and the new telecare service available free of charge to users of adult social care as part of our wider prevention strategy.

The Head of Adult Social Care and Community Development left at 8.28pm