£80m telecare grant to shape new care patterns

An £80m grant to shape new patterns of social care using telecare has been announced by the Department of Health (DH).

News of the grant, which will be available to local authorities for investment over two years from April 2006, was accompanied by new guidance on Building telecare in England 

Liam Byrne, minister for care services, published the guidance, which has been produced by the DH and the Telecare Policy Collaborative at a telecare conference in London.

He said, “Older people and those living with long term conditions have the right to choose their services and how they are delivered. This grant is designed to help local authorities rise to the challenge of providing services in a changing and ageing society with increased expectations.”

The guidance includes case studies that show how telecare has benefited those who need help to live independently including older people, people with dementia, those with long term conditions and patients in intermediate care. It also offers practical advice on commissioning telecare services using the new grant.

Introducing the guidance, the minister says that telecare is vital to unlocking a future in which people have higher expectations and want greater control over their lives, including being able to manage their own risks.

He continues: “It is not realistic to plan to deliver care in the way we do at present. We must embrace new ways of working both to meet the diverse needs and aspirations of people using services and to take full advantage of new and developing technologies.

Byrne says the new grant will be used to provide initial investment; co-ordinate demand to ensure the telecare industry grows as fast as possible; and educate and build knowledge and awareness among commissioners and consumers of telecare services.

He emphasises, however, that technology cannot replace human contact and that caring values should be strengthened, not weakened by technology.

The grant will be allocated to all local authorities in England with social services responsibilities using the spending share for older people formula. £30m will be available in 2006-7 and £50m in 2007-8, though the sums will not be ring-fenced.