Telecare review

Review to telecare community alarm service prompted by fire deaths

20 June 2017

The tragic deaths of three people in separate house fires in the Western Isles has prompted an improvement review into a community alarm system.

There were no failings in the remote telecare alarms system which operated as it should have.

The council launched a review to look if the arrangements could be updated.

Morag Ann Macdonald - who was in her 80s - died in a blaze in Garrynamoine, South Uist.

A week later another fatal incident in Kildonan claimed the life of William Hanks, 83.

Joseph MacNeil perished in a fire at his home at St Barr's Crescent, in Barra, in March.

Audit committee chairman 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.

“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.”

One priority - deemed as critical - is to replace older alarms with modern devices which can be automatically activated even battery power is low.

The review report said: “This will provide assurance to both management and service users that sufficient back-up processes are in place where battery life has reached a minimum level and can be responded to by technicians on the ground.”

The lack of policies and procedures required to be rectified to “reflect the wider operational roles and remits of the service” which has substantially grown from being a community alarm service into areas such as medication dispenser notification and electronic sensors to show if elderly person is up and about.

The current testing and maintenance programme should be improved so electronic systems in service users’ homes are fit for purpose.

In the event of an emergency this would allow the service user to muster assistance as soon as possible, stressed the report.

The report also called for on-site testing at peoples’ homes.

It highlighted: “We identified that the program of maintenance in place across the Western Isles is inconsistent and does not form part of a robust systematic process which meets the basis of best practice.

“We note that regular on-site testing is not undertaken in Lewis and Harris, although it is undertaken in the Uists and Barra.”

The review highlighted the service allows people to remain supported in their own homes for longer periods of time.

There is also a good working relationship between the call centre and staff on the ground.

Technicians often responding to problems in their own time said the report.

There are about 900 active alarms in place across the Western Isles - approximately 200 in Uist and Barra and around 700 in Lewis and Harris.

The council is implementing all the recommendations.