THE future of a government-run service that helps disabled or elderly Islanders to live independently is currently under review, the JEP has learned.
The JEP understands that around 20 staff were told last week that the way the Telecare service is run may change.
The service, which costs around £20 per month and is free to those on Income Support, provides vulnerable Islanders with emergency alarms and remote monitoring systems.
It allows users to call for help by pushing a button and is used by those living alone or managing long-term health conditions.
Staff were informed on Friday that a review is underway. The service is expected to continue operating as normal while the process continues.
The government declined to comment when contacted by the JEP.
It also declined to confirm when the current review will conclude or what specific options are being considered, including whether the service might be outsourced or privatised.
Health sources told the JEP they were concerned that handing over the service to a private provider could result in higher charges for service users.
The service was upgraded in 2022 when the Health Department launched a new digital system following a tender process.
A three-year contract – due to run until 2025 – was awarded to Airtel-Vodafone. It replaced the previous analogue model, which was previously operated by JT and at the time had around 1,000 Islanders subscribed to it.
The switch to the new technology meant that the monthly charge for the roughly 800 Islanders paying for the Community Alarm at the time had to rise, but the government said it would subsidise their monthly bill for three years – remaining at £10.50 until June 2023, from which point it would rise incrementally until 2025.
