Integrating technology enabled care with other onsite technology
In order to safeguard tenants and help staff to provide support when needed, as well as enabling independence, a telecare system was specified as part of the refurbishment.
This needed to not only enable tenants to easily request assistance in an emergency, but also provide discreet technology enabled care which could be tailored to their individual needs. For example, fall detectors, epilepsy sensors or door exit alarms that would automatically alert staff and allow them to respond appropriately. The system also needed to integrate into other onsite technology, such as access control, fire safety and ligature alarm systems.
Increasing freedom and choice for tenants
The installation allows the staff to be alerted to the movements of tenants and to respond to those movements without restricting people unnecessarily, meaning care can be targeted where it’s needed most. This increases freedom and choice for tenants, and gives staff greater insight into how and when tenants need support.
It was essential that the Tunstall telecare systems and other specialist equipment such as fire panels, door locking and ligature alarm systems were integrated effectively for ease of use.
Although the Torus/HMS teams have delivered other complex care schemes, Heathside is the first that has incorporated so much specialised technology. All stakeholders worked together to coproduce a single system solution, thinking and planning creatively, to enable staff to control all onsite technology with a single handset, and therefore respond quickly to any calls for assistance.
Heathside will be home to people who have previously been living in NHS facilities, unsuitable accommodation or places that don’t enable as much independence. This new environment will not only be able to be configured to meet the needs of its first residents, but will also be able to adapt over time as their needs change and offer a balance of freedom and support they may never have experienced before thanks to the careful combination of personalised technology and experienced carers.
