Telecare National Action Plan

Statement

My Honourable Friend the Minister of State for Care (Stephen Kinnock MP) has made the following statement:

The digital phone switchover is a necessary upgrade to our underlying national digital infrastructure as the old analogue landline network is becomingly increasingly unreliable. The safety of telecare users throughout the switchover is government’s utmost priority. That is why I am pleased to publish a joint Telecare National Action Plan with the Minister of State for Data and Digital Infrastructure (Chris Bryant MP) setting out the steps that stakeholders need to take to safeguard telecare users during the digital phone switchover.

The digital phone switchover means traditional analogue devices, such as telephone handsets and telecare units that are currently connected to the analogue landline network, will need to be reconnected to the digital network. There is a risk that the process of migrating telecare users to digital landlines will disrupt their telecare services. Telecare users must be protected during the digital phone switchover and every effort must be taken to avoid these risks.

Our action plan is predominantly aimed at communication providers, local authorities, housing providers, third sector organisations and commercial providers. It demonstrates the Government’s commitment to working with the telecare and telecommunications industries and ensuring that telecare users’ safety is put first during the switchover. Officials have worked closely with stakeholders to develop and agree the actions set out in this plan.

This Telecare National Action Plan sets out the actions that the government expects to see delivered. The actions are set out against the following outcomes:

• No telecare user will be migrated to digital landline services without the communication provider, the user, or the telecare service provider confirming that the user has a compatible and functioning telecare solution in place.
• Use of analogue telecare devices is phased out to ensure that only digital devices are being used. DHSC will be working with stakeholders over the coming months to set a deadline for this.
• Telecare users, their support networks and their service providers understand what actions they need to take to ensure a safe migration to digital phone lines.
• Stakeholders identified within the plan collaborate to safeguard telecare users through the digital phone switchover.

The government is committed to improving adult social care for those who draw on it, helping people to stay independent in their own homes, joining up services and improving the quality of care. The government recently announced an independent commission into adult social care led by Baroness Louise Casey as part of its critical first step towards a national care service. Whilst the Casey Commission carries out its work, the government is getting on with the job of reforming the system and has announced immediate actions to improve adult social care services. This includes the development of new national standards and trusted guidance for technology in social care. The new standards and guidance will make it easier for providers, commissioners and people who draw on care and support to identify the technologies that will work best for them.

The transition to digital telephone networks will lay the foundations for a next generation of telecare services that will support more personalised and early preventive interventions and support the government’s reforms to adult social care. The plan includes examples of where local areas have utilised the opportunities presented by the digital phone switchover to advance the use of technology within their social care provision.

Given the complexity of the issue, it is possible that additional necessary actions might be identified. We will review progress against the Telecare Nation Action Plan every six months and identify new actions as needed. A copy of the Telecare National Action Plan will be deposited in the Library of both Houses and will also be published on GOV.UK.