Information Bulletin
02 May 2005
Community Alarm System
Shetland Islands Council Social Work service operates a community alarm service which monitors alarm links (known as Homelink units) installed in people’s homes, throughout Shetland. Shetland Charitable Trust pays for the running costs of the service.
A few months ago, it became apparent that the equipment used to support the service would shortly become obsolete and the agreement to maintain the software used to run the service would come to an end. As a result, a decision was taken to review the service and a tendering exercise has been carried out to find a new service provider.
At the moment, the service is provided in partnership with NHS Shetland through the Gilbert Bain Hospital. Unfortunately, NHS Shetland was not able to bid to renew the current arrangements.
The new service provider will be a company called Attendo, a national service provider which works closely with Help the Aged and the Royal British Legion. This company is dedicated to providing community alarm services and is an expert in this field.
The ongoing costs of the new service is less than the current arrangements so we will be able to replace and upgrade the community alarm units, over a rolling 3 year period.
The way the service works from people’s homes will not change other than the calls will be answered by someone who works for the new company, Attendo, and not in the Gilbert Bain Hospital.
A letter has been sent to all service users to explain the changes. The new arrangements will start to take effect over the next few months.
If you have any questions about the new arrangements, please call Cindy Clark on 01595 744322 or Hazel Sutherland on 01595 744990.
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