Minister of State for Care (): 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 ( 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 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.
