To address the increasing demand and costs associated with social care services, Shropshire Council is proposing the introduction of a weekly charge and start-up fee for its Telecare service. This subsidized rate of £3.45 per week aims to help recover some of the costs while ensuring the service's sustainability.
Telecare devices, sometimes called ' care alarms ' or 'lifeline' systems, provide a way for elderly, disabled, or vulnerable individuals to signal for help when they need it while at home. These systems often include a wearable call button for the wrist or neck, or a fall detector worn on the wrist, designed to trigger an alert in case of an emergency.
Upon receiving the alert, a 24/7 response center assesses the situation and contacts an emergency contact, designated service, or emergency services. However, Shropshire Council is now proposing the introduction of a weekly charge and start-up fee to help recoup some of the costs associated with this service. Under these proposals, both existing and new users would be charged a subsidized rate of £3.45 per week for the service. New users would benefit from a free six-week trial period. Shropshire Council plans to initiate a budget consultation to explore further cost-saving measures. It's important to note that individuals receiving care packages from Shropshire Council or those entitled to after-care services under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act would be exempt from these charges.A spokesperson for Shropshire Council stated, 'Our aging population is growing at a faster rate. Councils nationwide are facing increasing pressure due to the rising need and costs of social care services. In Shropshire, this constitutes nearly 80% of the council's overall budget. Central government funding restrictions necessitate the council to explore alternative ways to recover some of the costs of running certain services. One such option is to introduce charges for some previously free services. Approximately £4 out of every £5 the council spends goes towards social care, supporting the most vulnerable individuals in the county. More people than ever require this support, which the council is obligated to provide, while the costs associated with delivering it continue to rise.'The spokesperson further elaborated, 'Shropshire currently stands as one of very few councils that do not charge residents for the Telecare service. Typical charges for Telecare services in other councils range from £1.50 to £19 per week. Introducing a charge in Shropshire would align the council with other areas and contribute to recovering some of the costs associated with operating the Telecare service, enabling us to sustain and develop the service. If the proposed charge is implemented, and all users contribute the relevant fee, it is estimated that the council could recover a portion of the full cost of running the Telecare service. Therefore, the outlined charges would represent a contribution towards the full cost of the service.' A consultation regarding these proposed changes has been launched and is accessible online for review and completion
Telecare Care Alarms Shropshire Council Social Care Cost Recovery Public Consultation
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