Local Authority Circular Spotlights Benefits of Telecare in Improving Delivery of Care Services
CSSRs shown how telecare is likely to be key to providing more cost-effective and efficient models of care
[UKPRwire, Fri May 05 2006] Telecare can offer key benefits in transforming the delivery of care services offered by Councils with Social Services Responsibilities (CSSRs), and by responding to the new performance targets introduced under the Delivery and Improvement Statement (DIS) Guidance Notes, CSSRs will ensure that targets set by Central Government will be achievable, according to market-leading telecare provider, Tunstall.
The recent Local Authority Circular (LAC) highlights the benefits of telecare and its potential to " ... radically transform the delivery of people centred services", especially in terms of increasing the number of older people receiving care.
The LAC also reports on new KPIs which address the application of the Preventative Technology Grant (PTG) funding currently being received by CSSRs in England. Zero, one and two-star CSSRs have to report on exactly how many older people are benefiting from telecare initiatives following the introduction of the PTG. Three-star CSSRs should also look to use the KPIs to demonstrate their performance and service delivery improvements and strengthen their "Performance Story".
Telecare can help meet the care objectives set out in the recent Government white paper, "Our Health, Our Care, Our Say" by supporting increasing numbers of older people in remaining independent and living within their own homes. It can also provide increasingly cost-effective and efficient care to the growing number of older people requiring services from the CSSRs.
Northamptonshire's pioneering Safe at Home (1) project is a prime example of how telecare has supported cost-effective use of care resources to help older and more vulnerable people.
The Safe at Home project succeeded in improving levels of care for people with dementia, supporting independence and also bringing the Council and local agencies in Northamptonshire equivalent savings of over £1.5m through the use of telecare over the 21 months during which the research took place.
Tunstall has worked closely with a number of local authorities to help transform community services through the application of telecare technology. Kevin Alderson, Public Sector Policy Director of Tunstall said, "We are supporting councils with Social Services responsibilities as they devise and implement telecare solutions which will deliver new, more proactive models of health and social care.
"The recent LAC report has highlighted the importance of telecare and the key role it will play in delivering people-centred services, supporting people in their own homes and offering valuable independence, quality of life and dignity, in addition to reducing the need for residential care home places and easing some of the burden on social services and care providers."
Councils wishing to learn more about the benefits of telecare should visit www.tunstall.co.uk/funding or call 01977 661234 for further details.
(1) If you would like to learn more you can read Dementia Care - Safe at Home 2 Northamptonshire County Council at www.tunstall.co.uk/downloads/casestudies
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