Council’s low-cost remote care services recognised as ‘highest standard’
An audit of Gateshead Council‘s remote care service has found it to be of the ‘highest standard’, enabling service users to live independently.
Gateshead Care Call is a low-cost emergency telecare alarm and response service for older, disabled or vulnerable people living in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.
The technology-enabled care (TEC) service enables residents to live safely and independently at home by providing emergency cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from trained staff who are available to respond to a variety of situations. Care Call responders have a unique and varied role within the adult care service.
There are three packages available for residents to choose from: bronze, silver, and gold. Each package has a different price and level of service provide, depending on the person’s needs. For example, the most expensive package – gold – costs £9 a week and gives the user unlimited use of assistive technology, alongside other benefits.
Steph Downey, Service Director of Adult Social Care at Gateshead Council, said: “It is a fantastic achievement for our team to have been recognised as providers of a high-standard telecare service.
“Care Call was also praised for its ability to respond to emergency incidents quickly, provide reassurance to care staff and relieve pressures from first responders and the NHS.
“By providing a 24/7 care service and assistive technology that can be utilised remotely, it is a cost-effective solution for the Council.
“Most importantly, it is a brilliant and cost-effective service for residents who want a non-intrusive solution to live independently in their own homes.”
At the time of the audit, Care Call had over 8,000 users. These individuals wear a pendant or wristband, which, when pressed, triggers a phone alarm system that connects them directly to Gateshead Care Call.
The audit report, commissioned by TEC Quality, found Gateshead’s remote care services to be ‘compliant’, which is the highest rating in its framework criteria.
Care Call and wider adult social care services at the council were also praised for meeting the challenges, pressures and limitations the service area faced as a result of the pandemic.
Councillor McNestry, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care at Gateshead Council, commented: “We are hugely proud of our Adult Social Care teams, and the recognition that Care Call is a fantastic service comes as no surprise.
“Not only is Care Call a cost-effective solution for service users, but it is also a cost-effective for the Council.
“By relieving pressure on other adult social care services with assistive technology and an emergency response system, we can enable our team of carers to better prioritise those with the highest care needs.
“Care Call is such a rewarding service that we are investing in the team and trialling new, state of the art assistive technologies to expand our offer.”
A recent report by FarrPoint has suggested that extending telecare services to more people could save the UK’s care providers £14.5 billion in the next 10 years.