Report by Local Democracy Reporter – Jon Cooper
Opposition Conservative councillors have been calling upon High Peak Borough Council to rethink its decision to shut down its Carelink service for the vulnerable, elderly and disabled over recruitment problems.
Labour-controlled High Peak Borough Council recently announced the closure of Carelink – which arms vulnerable residents with pendants or wristbands to call for help – in what the authority called a ‘very difficult decision’ citing a struggle to recruit and retain the level of staff needed to safely deliver the service.
But Conservative Cllr Nigel Gourlay, who oversees Chapel East, said: “Carelink is not a luxury. It is not just another ‘discretionary service’.
“For many elderly, vulnerable and disabled people across the High Peak, it is the difference between living safely at home and being left frightened, isolated or at risk.
“The council’s own statement says Carelink allows people to call for help from a trained member of staff 24 hours a day from anywhere in their home or garden. That is exactly the sort of service a civilised council should be protecting.
“I fully understand that staffing pressures are real. But if the problem is safe staffing, the answer should be to fix the staffing, not close the safety net.
“This decision should be paused. Carelink users, families, carers, staff councillors and partner organisations should be properly consulted before closure plans are taken any further.
“People need clear answers. What alternatives are genuinely available, what will they cost, who will respond in an emergency, and what happens to those who cannot easily arrange something else?”
Carelink is an alarm system which enables elderly, vulnerable and disabled people to live independently by allowing them to call a contact centre from a necklace pendant or a wristband and to seek help from a trained member of staff 24 hours a day from anywhere in their home or garden.
The council stated that protecting vulnerable people remains its priority and it is providing personalised support to help customers move to an alternative provider if they choose to, and in the meantime the Carelink service will continue to operate as normal until its official closure date at the end of September.
High Peak Borough Council added that closing down the discretionary council service has been a ‘very difficult decision’ but it has struggled for several years to recruit and retain the level of staff required to deliver the service safely and despite its best efforts the council feels it can no longer provide the service safely in its current form.
The council has offered reassurances to Carelink customers that services will continue as usual for the time being while plans are put in place for the closure due to long-standing issues with maintaining safe staffing levels.
Cllr Gourlay, who was conscious the matter was to be discussed at a recent Executive council meeting during exempt items behind closed doors from the public, stated that Conservative councillors have requested for any final decision to be deferred for further discussions in an open meeting.
However, the council’s Executive approved a report at the meeting with the proposed arrangements for the future of the service.
Cllr Gourlay added: “Calling Carelink ‘discretionary’ may be legally convenient, but it does not describe what the service means in real life. To the person on the floor after a fall, or the family member who sleeps more easily knowing help is available, this service is vital.
“The High Peak should not be withdrawing practical help from elderly and vulnerable residents unless every possible alternative has been openly tested and scrutinised. Carelink should be saved.”
The council stated it is very mindful of the impact this decision will have on customers and staff and it has been consulting with staff and contacting customers and their families or trusted guardians to discuss individual needs, future requirements for help or to arrange alternative support, and to refer anyone to other services if needed.
Letters have also been posted out to all Carelink customers and, where appropriate, their families and carers explaining the decision and the next steps.
Executive Councillor for Housing, Fiona Sloman, said: “We know that this news is likely to be unsettling for the people who use Carelink and I want to assure them that the services they currently receive will continue as normal for the time being.
“This has been a very difficult decision to take. We haven’t done so lightly and have made every effort to keep the service going despite the issues with staffing levels but safety has to be our priority.
“We fully understand the impact this will have for our customers and our staff and are now starting conversations with them as we plan for the closure in a managed way. We will be supporting all those affected during this process.
“As part of those discussions we’ll be providing information about other providers of telecare services and helping our customers to arrange alternative support if they need it.
“We don’t want anyone to worry about the decision we’ve made. We will be speaking to all our customers personally over the coming weeks and I would encourage people to share their concerns with us during those discussions so we can offer advice and guidance.
“I also want to say thank you to our Carelink staff who continue to provide quality, dedicated services in difficult circumstances. We’ll continue to support you during the closure process.”
Those wishing to talk about their circumstances or who may need help accessing information have been urged by the council to call the authority on 0345 129 8075 or email Community-Alarm@highpeak.gov.uk with details.
Other alternative care support providers include: Taking Care (Age UK’s provider) at https://taking.care/ and on 0800 085 7371; Age UK Personal Alarm Service at https://www.ageuk.org.uk/products/mobility-and-independence-at-home/personal-alarms/ and on 0800 011 3846; Careline365 via the https://careline.co.uk/pages/how-much-is-careline website; Medequip at www.medequip-connect.com and on 01332 416820; And CareCall (Stockport) by email Carecall@stockporthomes.org or by calling 0161 2181655.
