New consultation raises some alarm
A public consultation has been launched on a new review of the eligibility criteria for North Lanarkshire’s community alarm service.
Council officials are asking for views on the existing system – where alarms are provided automatically to anyone aged over 75 and living alone, and to those who have completed a needs assessment.
Those completing the survey are asked for their preference among the current option or a system of age or needs-based criteria; and for their opinion on which are the safest, most costeffective, “person-centred” and fair methods.
Conservative group councillors have criticised the move, saying that eligibility for free alarms had “appeared to be settled in April” when an unpopular £5 per week charge for the service was removed eight months after implementation following an outcry.
Depute council leader Paul Kelly, right, who chairs North Lanarkshire’s health and social care integrated joint board (IJB), said: “A decision was taken to review the eligibility of the community alarm system at a previous meeting of the board.
“We’re asking people who use the service, work with or have an interest in older people, to give us their views and complete our survey.
“Information they share will help us provide the necessary supports and advice to make a significant difference – it’s an opportunity for the community to help shape future services for older people and I’d urge people to take part.”
The council’s Conservative group has questioned the review, with Motherwell councillor Nathan Wilson saying: “Abolishing the charge was the right thing to do and it was a decision we very much welcomed.
“Elderly people who make use of this service will rightly question the need for a consultation to take place, particularly because the matter appeared to be settled with the reinstatement of the free service in April.
“The community alarm charge for pensioners was something the Conservative group of candidates opposed in the run-up to the election in May.”
He added of the survey, available online and on paper: “It’s critical that hard copies of the questionnaire are made available to all elderly residents in receipt of a free alarm, so that they’re aware the review is taking place and are given a proper opportunity to participate.”
A controversial charge for community alarms was introduced in August 2016 – with the £5 per week charge found to be one of the highest local authority sums in Scotland.
However, the cost for its thousands of users was scrapped in April after councillors reversed the decision in a budget U-turn, with council leader Jim Logue saying: “It’s based on representations that have been made to elected members.”
A factsheet accompanying the new survey outlines that the community alarm service is used by nearly 8800 North Lanarkshire residents, with the largest group being aged between 80 and 89; there are around 157 new referrals per month and the service costs around £3million per year.
The sur vey can be completed a t w w w . s u r v e y m o n k e y . c o. u k / r / CommunityAlarmEligibility, and paper copies are available by emailing swcas@northlan.gov. uk or calling 01698 403278; the closing date for responses is December 18.