Telecare outcomes, lessons learned and remaining challenges in Barnet

1. Telecare outcomes, lessons learned and remaining challenges in Barnet Guy Dewsbury Telecare Coordinator London Borough of Barnet Email: telecare@barnet.gov.uk Web: www.barnet.gov.uk/telecare

2. Telecare in Barnet In the past 20 months Barnet has embraced telecare wholeheartedly. A pilot project was initially completed to assess the feasibility of telecare. Telecare was then moved into the mainstream core services, where it is located now.

3. Structure of telecare in Barnet

4. Progress Progress in Barnet has been steady and methodical. Concentration on developing capacity and infrastructure to support the impending full telecare service. Developing Person-centred �need based� telecare as core service available throughout the whole borough.

5. Further progress Appointment of Telecare Coordinator in April 2007 and Support Officer January 2008. Telecare pilot study successfully completed August 2007. Two telecare demonstrations centres furnished, another in progress.

6. Outcomes to date Initial low uptake of lifeline and other telecare so simplified procedures introduced. New links and ways of joint working developed with external agencies and our telecare partners. Bespoke person-centred telecare assessments. Staff Training: 301 staff trained to date.

7. Telecare installations* The pilot concluded in August 2007 when the 60th person was referred for telecare.

8. Telecare excluding lifeline installs

9. Lifeline installations By of December 2007 a total of 922 lifeline referrals and installations had been achieved by Barnet homes lifeline. Our other partners Age Concern Barnet have successfully installed at total of 97 lifeline systems in the March 06-Dec 07 period. Therefore the grand total of lifeline installs for the period March 2006-December 2007 to 1019 lifeline installations in the Barnet borough.

10. Lifeline installs Mar 2006-Dec 2007

11. Lessons Learned Lasting change takes longer to prepare for and is slower to evolve. Integrated working is not easy but certainly not impossible, and can be very beneficial. Training and post training support are very important.

12. Two providers Having two main lifeline telecare providers (Chubb and Tynetec) is problematic but beneficial. Harder for people to learn all the properties for the different equipment. Ordering telecare can be confusing. Flexibility in providing a range of options to meet client need. Meets real needs better through individualised assessments and telecare planning. Provides client with greater choice.

13. Procedural Lessons Telecare pathways might never be smooth and clear but we can manage to address most kinks, others we can work around. Recording procedures need to be robust, clear and easy to maintain. We need to develop new ways of reporting and reviewing cases.

14. Capacity Additional paperwork is the enemy. Staff require time and support to become acquainted with new services. Capacity and infrastructure are crucial.

15. Work Practices It is considered the responsibility of all professionals to assess people for telecare. Telecare is a core service.

16. Conclusion Telecare in Barnet is evolving. Grouped responsibility. Capacity and infrastructure fundamental. We might be at the beginning of a journey but we have put telecare on the map.