Bernie Tulloch, Nottingham On Call, to deliver a presentation.
Minutes:
Bernie Tulloch, Assistive Technology Project Officer for ‘Nottingham On Call’ (Nottingham City Homes) delivered a presentation on the equipment and support provided by the Nottingham On Call scheme which is now available to all disabled/vulnerable or aged citizens in the City and in some surrounding areas.
The following points were highlighted:
(a) there are two types of assisted technology available:
i. telecare is connected to a call centre which can be contacted either by a telephone call or by triggering an alarm;
ii. stand-alone assistance which is not linked to any monitoring system but which supports independence where there may be a career in the property. This service is available to non-City vulnerable residents in some surrounding areas;
(b) to qualify Assisted Technology citizens need to have a condition that increases their vulnerability (and that the particular technology would benefit);
(c) to qualify for Telecare Assisted Technology citizens need to live in the Nottingham City boundary (for Telecare) or have a Nottingham City GP (for Telehealth);
(c) a condition which is considered to increase vulnerability can include:
i. long-term health conditions
ii. dementia
iii. disabled children
iv. adults with learning disabilities
v. at risk of residential care admission
vi. at risk of hospital admission;
(d) if eligible, the Tele-care equipment is available either free to low-income City residents or for a modest initial set-up charge of £19.95 for other City residents. There is a weekly charge for all telecare monitoring of £4.17 but this may be waived for people in specific circumstances;
(e) the tele-care system provides an alarm or telephone contact to the Call Centre who can reassure users, provide advice on how most appropriately to deal minor medical queries but can also contact careers, relatives, and call the GP or an ambulance;
(f) there are currently approximately 7,000 service users in the Nottingham City Area but the aspiration is to provide assistance to more than 11,000 citizens by 2019;
(g) it is noted that for every £1 spent on equipment, there is a £3.51 saving on medical and/or social care whilst enabling vulnerable citizens to live independently in their own homes. Since this service has been available, amongst the user group there has been a 46% reduction in hospital admissions, 35% fewer ambulance call outs, 10% reduction in GP appointments;
(h) a range of equipment is available and includes bogus caller button which can silently open a telephone line to the Call Centre so that doorstep conversations can be heard and the call Centre Staff can call out and give the impression of another person in the property. This is particularly helpful with rouge traders and distraction burglaries but can also be used for some domestic violence users;
(i) a wide variety of equipment and devices are available including smoke an CO2 detectors, epilepsy sensors, temperature detectors, bed sensors which alert carers if bed bound people are out of bed (ie fall out of bed) and motion triggered floor lights which are particularly useful for landings and stairs;
(j) to clarify if someone is eligible for the service and at what level, advice and application forms are available by calling the Nottingham ON Call team on 0115 746 9010, or by emailing ask@nottinghamoncall.org.uk. Further information is available on the website at www.nottinghamoncall.org.uk.
RESOLVED to note the interesting presentation and record the Committee’s thanks to Bernie Tulloch for attending.