Dr Stephen Ladyman, MP, hailed the London Boroughs’ Carelines Group at its launch event at Portcullis House, Westminster on October 27th.
The Group is made up of and represents the interests of London’s 26 local authority Careline services and is chaired by Doug Miles who manages Merton’s ground-breaking service – Mascot.
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Community Care, Dr Stephen Ladyman, MP endorsed the role of Carelines in supporting the independence of elderly and vulnerable people across London in his keynote address at the well-attended event.
Dr Ladyman highlighted the vital role that Carelines, community alarm services and telecare technology plays in helping over 150,000 elderly and vulnerable London residents maintain their independence and quality of life without being institutionalised.
He said: “Older people are increasingly demanding choices and services which improve their independence. The Government has already announced an £80 million investment in preventing avoidable admissions to residential care and hospitals, using technology to enable people to remain at home with the confidence and support they need, and I have a personal interest and commitment to making it work. The option of remaining at home must be extended to as many people as possible, and serious efficiency gains to the health and social care system can be achieved.”
The event coincided with publication of the results of a detailed study by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), which revealed concerns that older people did not always have a spectrum of care options to choose from, particularly when leaving hospital. In some areas, people left hospital to go into care services that suited the local system, without being offered choices for future care.
According to Dr Ladyman MP, Carelines should be supported to play an increasing role in expanding these choices using telecare. As part of a tailored care package, telecare can reduce hospital admissions, get people out of hospital faster, prevent falls and improve care for people with long term medical conditions.
Rose Cole, 84, a Careline customer in south- west London says of her local service ‘The service is excellent. I feel safe & secure at home and if I need help all I need to do is press the red button. I know I will get a prompt, friendly & helpful reply’
ENDS
Editor’s Notes:
Images attached of the event:
Doug Miles – 4th from the left standing next to Cllr Maxi Martin.
Carelines/Telecare:
Careline ser