Review of strategies for charging service users for telecare

Abstract

Most local authorities now offer a telecare service to people who are eligible for community services under Fair Access to Care Services (FACS). Others also offer telecare in a prevention mode to people with lower levels of risk alongside traditional social (or community) alarm systems. A survey of local authorities, mainly members of the Centre for Usable Home Technologies (CUHTec), was performed to gauge the service provision options available and the charging strategies that have been adopted. Results from 39 authorities across the UK indicate significant differences between English shire counties and the unitary authorities elsewhere in the country in terms of eligibility and provision. The majority of authorities have yet to confirm a charging policy, using the principle of ‘pilot project’ to delay a decision until their Preventative Technology Grant (PTG) or telecare grants have run out. Some authorities with more mature services have chosen to make telecare free to particular groups on the grounds that they will reduce costs elsewhere in the health and/or social care economy. Most are introducing charges in the range of £5 to £10 per week indicating a generous subsidy from the council.

Citation

Doughty, K. (2007), "Review of strategies for charging service users for telecare", Journal of Assistive Technologies, Vol. 1 No. 2, pp. 22-25. https://doi.org/10.1108/17549450200700015