High Peak Carelink customers to be charged £60 per month by new providers
People across the High Peak who used the Carelink service are being put in touch with other companies who offer a similar service - but with a starting price of £54 per month.
It was announced earlier in the year that from the end of September High Peak Borough Council will be stopping the Carelink service.
Carelink is an alarm system which enables elderly, vulnerable and disabled people to live independently by allowing them to call a contact centre and seek help from a trained member of staff 24 hours a day from anywhere in their home or garden.
Executive Councillor for Housing, Fiona Sloman, said: “The decision to close Carelink was far from easy and was taken due to safeguarding issues.
“Our Carelink customers have always been our priority and they remain so as we work towards ending the service.
“So it’s very important to us that we support people to find alternative providers, especially those offering falls and emergency care services, in the area.
“There are companies that can offer this service and we’re writing to our customers and those who support them to provide details of those companies so they can start conversations about their future care needs.
“The Carelink service people receive will continue until people have arranged new provision or the service closes, whichever is sooner.
“The team remains available to speak to customers about the closure so please get in touch if you want help or more information.”
The council says research into companies that can provide similar technology enabled care services in our area has also been taking place and two companies that offer a falls response service across the High Peak have been identified – Medequip Connect and Derbyshire Light Medical.
Medequip Connect set up fee is £56.36 and then up to £67.35 a month and Derbyshire Light Medical’s set up fee is £100 whereas the monthly cost is £60.
Councillor Kath Sizeland who campaigned to keep Carelink said: “I have met with Paul Hartshorn from Derbyshire Light Medical who is putting the telecare boxes out in Chapel.
“I found him to be genuine and approachable person. DLM has a lot of equipment available to support people who may require hospital care and has a number of links to the NHS and has Emergency Lifting Cushion.
“Paul and his team are on standby between Chapel and Tideswell which is reassuring for our area.
“I have also contacted Mediquip and unfortunately their falls will not be covering the High Peak for the next couple of months.
“The good news is Derbyshire County Council will cover some of the set up costs for DLM and Mediquip even though it says differently in the letter. High Peak Borough Council have said money shouldn’t be an issue and will help people with support if necessary to find an appropriate service.”
Councillor Sloman added: “I’d like to thank our Carelink team, who continue to offer excellent service in difficult circumstances, and our customers who are working with us to ensure they can secure the services they need for the future.”
The Council is encouraging customers who want to secure a new provider to have made arrangements before Carelink formally closes to High Peak residents.
For more information on other providers visit www.highpeak.gov.uk/Carelink-Service