Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Alarm fee is one of highest in Scotland
Alex Neil and Neil Gray have once again hit out at North Lanarkshire’s community alarm charges after their research determined that the £5 weekly fee is one of the highest in Scotland.
Figures obtained by the Airdrie & Shotts parliamentarians covering 29 of the country’s other 31 councils concluded that only two of those have a higher weekly or equivalent charge – Highland at £6 and Edinburgh at £5.80.
Both of those areas use means tests, as is also the case in another five councils. Scottish Borders charges £5.40 for alarms which are requested by users, but £3 where the equipment is deemed to be necessary.
North Lanarkshire’s health and social care joint integrated board ( JIB) say that alarm users’ finances are always considered, and “there is discretion where a person is deemed to be vulnerable and also does not have the means to pay”.
Mr Neil said the £ 5 weekly charge “is simply unacceptable and indefensible in one of the most deprived areas of the country”, adding: “It’s a lot of money to a majority of people, and really is hurting the most vulnerable.”
The MSP added: “It doesn’t make any sense to charge for a community alarm and is counterproductive as it will only put more pressure on other resources – unplanned hospitals visits cost NHS Scotland thousands of pounds, and a free community alarm system costs little in comparison.
“Over recent months my office has been inundated with phone calls from people struggling to pay. These alarms are a lifeline for elderly and vulnerable people as it gives them some safety and security at home.”
Researchers from Mr Neil’s office contacted each of the other 31 councils in Scotland to find out about their alarm charges and “whether they take circumstances into consideration”, with all but two responding.
Inverclyde and Orkney are the only two councils in Scotland providing the service free. Costs in the 24 areas charging less than North Lanarkshire range from £4.75 per week in Angus to £1.15 in the Shetland Islands.
The Advertiser told last month how the alarm charge, introduced last August, has been suspended until April 2018 for the 1400 residents of the council’s sheltered housing complexes – including 17 across Monklands – while the existing system is replaced with smart digital technology.
Mr Gray, the Airdrie MP, said: “While the council has changed their position to allow those in sheltered accommodation free use of the alarm, there are many more who depend on it and are equally vulnerable.
“This alarm system is a lifeline, and they cannot and should not differentiate between residents. A vulnerable person is a vulnerable person no matter where they stay.”
A spokesperson for the JIB said: “North Lanarkshire was one of the last areas in Scotland to provide a free community alarm service to over 11,000 residents; however, to protect this and provide the same high quality of 24-hour cover to an increasing number of people, we are applying a £5 per week charge.
“Like all other public services we’re facing cost pressures, and demand for the service is increasing due to an ageing population – we must be in a position to meet this demand while protecting this important service.
“Financial circumstances of users are always taken into account. We work with them to maximise the income available, and there is discretion where a person is deemed to be vulnerable and also does not have the means to pay.”
It’s a lot of money.. and really is hurting the most vulnerable