By Hannah Chandler,
Telecare Lead, Lincolnshire Housing Partnership (LHP), which runs the Lincolnshire Telecare Service (LTS) in partnership with Age UK

Thousands of elderly and vulnerable people in Lincolnshire who use telecare services risk being left behind when traditional landlines in the UK are switched off by telecoms providers from 2025.

Consumers need to prepare for the digital landline switchover currently under way across the UK, which will see the old analogue phone network (the PSTN) switched off and landline phone services offered digitally. BT has announced that they expect the upgrade to be complete by the end of 2027.

We need government and telecoms leaders to work together to raise awareness of the transition, including how best to manage the move to the latest technology.

Since September 2023, Lincolnshire Telecare Service (LTS) has been installing Digital Lifelines, which run off a SIM card that simply plugs into a mains power socket and that don’t require a landline telephone. However, customers with analogue lifelines are being encouraged to upgrade their existing units to avoid losing their service.

We’re committed to putting the wellbeing of our customers first and providing the best service possible, so we want to minimise any disruption.

“Telecare services are the key to independent living for lots of people, with almost two million users in the UK”

Future-proofing our care line by installing Digital Lifelines in advance of the switchover from 2025 enables us to enhance our service. It’ll also save our customers time and money in the long term.

For customers with our Analogue Lifelines, we can help make the switchover process as smooth as possible by upgrading their existing unit. They should contact us as soon as they’re made aware of the date that their existing service is being transitioned by their provider to ensure their telecare continues as normal. Digital Lifelines work without a phone line, so it’ll work straight away even if the customer’s phone provider hasn’t switched the old analogue line off.

In preparation we’re recommending our customers follow the below checklist:

• Contact LTS once they’ve received a date for their landline upgrade from their telephone provider
• When the telecom engineer visits for the upgrade, inform them about their Lifeline (Technology Enabled Care) and request a test after the switchover
• After installation, test the emergency button to confirm proper functionality.

Telecare services are the key to independent living for lots of people, with almost two million users in the UK.

At LTS, we help vulnerable individuals of all ages to live independently at home using remote monitoring technology; this includes a Lifeline unit which comes with a wearable pendant. This provides not just the customer but also the customer’s loved ones with peace of mind that help is at hand.

Alongside this, we offer various packages, including a key safe, fall detector, smoke and heat detector, and a 24/7 response service. All these tools provide our customers with the highest level of care and our packages allow the individual to choose which tools work for them.

The Digital Lifeline offers convenient access to professional support and can provide immediate assistance in an emergency. This support enables customers to feel safe in their own homes, leading to independence for the individual, peace of mind for their relatives and less reliance on the NHS.

When the lifeline or sensors are activated, users are connected to our specialists in Boston, who can quickly organise the appropriate support or assistance. Additional services include daily calls for medication reminders and wellbeing checks.

Upgrading offers improved reliability, enhanced functionality, higher quality, greater flexibility, integration, cost efficiency and future-proofing.

At LTS, we’ve built a reputation for delivering exceptional standards of service, achieving accreditation to the TEC Services Association’s Quality Standards Framework, as well as being awarded the Customer Service Excellence Standard.