Issue - meetings

       To receive a report from the Chief Executive.

That Cabinet agrees to:

1.    Approve the commissioning of the Telecare Service via the ESPO Framework from 1 April 2025, with a three-year contract awarded to the successful provider, with the option to extend up to a further year.

2.    To delegate authority to approve and award a new Telecare Service Contract, and take all necessary steps associated, to the Director of Commissioning in consultation with the Cabinet Member responsible for Adult Social Care, SEND and Inclusion.

Reason for Decision:

The purpose of this paper is to provide an update to Cabinet on the status of the Council’s contracted Telecare Service which is delivered by an external service supplier and expires on 31 March 2025.

The current contract delivers a Telecare Service to people who are assessed by Adult Social care as eligible for the services.

The provision of a Telecare and wider Technology enabled Care (TEC) services fulfils the Council’s obligations under section 2 (preventing, reducing or delaying needs) of the Care Act and currently covers over 2000 connections to individuals being supported in their homes. A recommissioned Telecare Service must be in place from 1 April 2025.

Cllr Jane Davies, Cabinet member for Adult Social Care, SEND and Inclusion presented a report requesting the recommissioning of a Telecare Service in Wiltshire to be funded by the Better Care Fund.

Cllr Davies explained that the Wiltshire Telecare service provided assistive technology that promotes wellbeing and independence through the provision of emergency call alarms. The current contract for the Telecare service ended on 31 March 2025, and supported about 1,100 dispersed alarm (community based) customers and provides call monitoring for about 1000 grouped alarms (Wiltshire sheltered housing stock – HRA). It was felt that demand for Telecare will continue to rise alongside one of the largest aging populations in the country and with the telephone industry discontinuing the traditional copper telephone network telecare devices will need to move from analogue to digital to meet the requirements for the national ‘Digital Switchover’.

Cllr Gordon King - Vice-Chair of the Health Select Committee, along with the Chair of the Committee received a briefing on 7 October 2024. Cllr King had received assurances about the benefits of the proposals and noted that the equipment was easy to use and portable.

Resolved:

That Cabinet agrees to:

1.    Approve the commissioning of the Telecare Service via the ESPO Framework from 1 April 2025, with a three-year contract awarded to the successful provider, with the option to extend up to a further year.

2.    To delegate authority to approve and award a new Telecare Service Contract, and take all necessary steps associated, to the Director of Commissioning in consultation with the Cabinet Member responsible for Adult Social Care, SEND and Inclusion.

Reason for Decision:

The purpose of this paper is to provide an update to Cabinet on the status of the Council’s contracted Telecare Service which is delivered by an external service supplier and expires on 31 March 2025.

The current contract delivers a Telecare Service to people who are assessed by Adult Social care as eligible for the services.

The provision of a Telecare and wider Technology enabled Care (TEC) services fulfils the Council’s obligations under section 2 (preventing, reducing or delaying needs) of the Care Act and currently covers over 2000 connections to individuals being supported in their homes. A recommissioned Telecare Service must be in place from 1 April 2025.