Ashford-based expertise helps consortium pick up national award

A consortium that includes Red Alert Telecare has won a major award for helping people live independently in their own homes.

Red Alert Telecare is part of the Argenti partnership, a group of companies that has so far helped more than 4,200 vulnerable people across Hampshire lead independent lives by providing them with high-tech monitoring equipment.

The group’s success in changing lives was reflected at the prestigious 2016 Local Government Chronicle Awards, when Hampshire County Council and its partners PA Consulting - which heads up the Argenti team - picked up one of the top awards.

The partnership won the Driving Efficiencies Through Technology category, highlighting its success in allowing people to remain at home by providing equipment that can monitor their health, summon help if necessary and provide reassurance to them and their relatives.

“Telecare is a 24 hour personal emergency monitoring service which uses wireless technology and environmental sensors to monitor people with care and support needs,” explained Red Alert Telecare boss Clive Gawler.

“A range of monitors can tell if someone has wandered away from their bed at night, fallen over, let the bath overflow or forgotten to switch off the gas supply to the cooker – along with many other potentially worrying things.

“As well as looking out for problems, the system will also alert a carer as soon as there is an issue, 24 hours a day. It gives vital reassurance to relatives as well as allowing the user to enjoy living in their own home instead of having to go into care.”

“Telecare can have a huge impact on people's lives by helping them remain independent while keeping them safe. I am proud of the part Red Alert Telecare plays in this partnership and delighted that we have contributed towards winning this award,” he added.

Steve Carefull, adult social care expert at PA Consulting Group and programme director of the Argenti Telehealthcare Partnership, highlighted what he called “the huge difference assistive technology is making to the lives of many residents”.

Research shows that 98 per cent of the 4,200 vulnerable people across Hampshire who have benefitting from a personalised telecare service would recommend it to other people.