We are writing a plan to help us improve the Telecare service over the next three years and asked for your views. We wanted to know what Telecare users think about it, as well as asking whether non-users know about it, and how we could tell more people about it.
Who could take part?
We wanted to hear from as many people as possible, whether you use the service or not. We asked in particualr for the views of:
- Telecare users
- carers
- anyone who works with older or vulnerable people.
What you told us
In total 1,015 people took part in the three surveys. This has given us a range of views from organisations, users of the Telecare service and residents.
One of the key reasons people say they use the Telecare service is to feel safe and secure. This is backed up by the satisfaction survey, where 94% said they were very satisfied/satisfied that Telecare helps them to feel safe and secure.
The surveys show that there is a lack of understanding about the full range of Telecare services. For example, a quarter of respondents to the general survey thought Telecare is just a LifeLine type service for older people and another quarter thought it offered more services but was still only for older people.
People typically find about Telecare from the Council or health service, or a family member, friend or neighbour. This emphasises the equal importance of official channels and personal networks.
People's top choices for promoting Telecare are:
- articles in local newspapers and on the radio which explain what Telecare can do
- posters and leaflets in GP surgeries
- talk to doctors about the benefits of Telecare so they can recommend it.
For more details about the results please see our newsletter:
Background information
Telecare is a community alarm service that uses sensors placed in a person's home, to detect things like fires and smoke, bogus callers and falls.
If a problem is detected a call goes through to the Telecare centre which offers a 24 hour, seven days a week service. They will give advice and support and call for help, depending on what is needed.
How you could take part
Respondents could complete our online survey form, or print and post a pdf version, which was also available in Easy-Read format.
We provided an alternative accessible version of the online questionnaire, for anyone with a visual impairment who uses screen reading software.
We also wrote to a selection of people who use Telecare to ask what they think of the service, and visited relevant groups and meetings supported by the Council, to gather the views of carers and organisations.
This consultation closed on 12 August 2011
What happens next
We will consider what you have told us and, where appropriate, update our plan to reflect your views.
Enquiries
If you have any queries or comments about this consultation, or you need a copy of the information in a different format – such as large print, braille, or in a different language – please contact Esme Hilliard:
Email: policy&strategyadmin@eastsussex.gov.uk
Phone: 01273 481565
Post: Telecare Consultation
Adult Social Care
FREEPOST LW134
County Hall
Lewes
BN7 1BR
East Sussex County Council