Telecare

The Comhairle’s Audit and Scrutiny Committee will today, Tuesday 20th June, discuss a report regarding the arrangements for the operation and management of Telecare.

This follows the recent and tragic fires which have occurred in the Western Isles over a very short period.

Chairman of the Committee, Cllr Angus Morrison, said: “Although our systems have worked as expected, this is an opportunity for the review of processes across the Western Isles, particularly in relation to installation, maintenance and testing of equipment on a consistent basis. The role and use of Telecare has substantially grown from its previous role as a community alarm mechanism into areas such as medication dispenser alarms/notification, property exit sensors, bed, chair and under carpet sensors.

“We want to ensure that people feel as safe as possible in their homes and we are very aware that these alarms play a big part in that.”

There are currently in the region of 900 active alarms in place across the Western Isles, approximately 200 in Uist and Barra and approximately 700 in Lewis and Harris.