East Renfrewshire Council is planning to upgrade its warden call system for sheltered housing from analogue to digital.
It has selected telecare technology provider Appello to provide its Smart Living Solutions product to eight sheltered housing developments supporting over 200 residents.
The council said its main aim with the upgrade is to ensure compatibility with the new digital network – which is due to take over from analogue telephone lines over the next two and half years – and safeguard the reliability of its telecare services.
It has identified a number of essential criteria, including: simultaneous call handline with priority for critical alarms, such as from smoke detectors, over those that are less urgent; an ‘I’m OK’ feature that enables residents to tell wardens easily that they do not need support; and the ability for staff to work and manage the systems remotely.
The latter feature includes assigning peripherals to residents and generating reports on factors such as the volume of calls.
The council also wanted to ensure the solution is compliant with industry standards, especially supporting the Now-IP protocol for group living schemes.
Fit for purpose
East Renfrewshire Council Leader Own O’Donnell said: “This is an important step forward in our digital journey and I’m sure our residents will reap the benefits of this improved, digital service. Installing a fully digital solution will ensure that the service remains fit for purpose and we can continue to provide excellent care for those who need it most in our communities.”
Appello’s managing director, Craig Barlow, said the solution has been specifically designed for the digital network and tested in group living schemes across the UK.
