Welcome to our newsletter, where we provide you with the latest from Digital Telecare for Scottish Local Government. In this edition, we bring you a recap of the events within the Digital Telecare Programme over the past month, along with insights of upcoming activities.
If you have any queries regarding any of the content within this newsletter, please get in touch.
Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership Awarded Platinum Digital Telecare Implementation Award.
Congratulations are in order for Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership as they have been awarded the prestigious Platinum Digital Telecare Implementation Award by Digital Telecare for Scottish Local Government.
This recognition celebrates the successful transition of all service users from analogue to digital telecare, with the service operating seamlessly for over eight weeks.
Supporting around 3,600 individuals and housing schemes, the Partnership’s integrated, person-centred approach helps people live more independently at home, reducing the need for hospital or long-term care admissions. The award reflects the dedication, collaboration, and resilience of the teams involved, who have prioritised community needs throughout the project.
Anthony Clark, TEC Programme Manager, praised the achievement as a testament to the power of partnership and a shared vision focused on residents’ needs. The organisation remains committed to building on this progress and using digital telecare to drive further innovation in service delivery for the benefit of everyone in Perth and Kinross.
Digital Telecare Transition Included in Scotland's Digital Strategy 2025.
The transition to digital telecare has been included as part of Scotland’s Digital Strategy for 2025 elevates it from a local service upgrade to a national priority, ensuring it benefits from the same principles driving Scotland’s digital transformation, interoperability, security, and user-centred design.
This move guarantees a coordinated transition from analogue systems, future-proofing services with cloud-based infrastructure and shared standards, while embedding telecare within a connected ecosystem of health and social care. It also signals a commitment to person-centred innovation, where technology underpins wellbeing and equality.
By integrating telecare into the wider strategy, Scotland aims to deliver proactive, preventative care, reduce pressure on hospitals, and support independent living for vulnerable citizens.
David Brown, Business Relationship Manager for Digital Telecare, LGDO, said: “The inclusion of Digital Telecare into the newly published Digital Strategy for Scotland demonstrates a clear commitment to modernising social care services. By aligning telecare with national priorities, we are building a system that drives innovation, strengthens resilience, and leads to improved outcomes for citizens".
North Ayrshire HSCP: Why We’re Using the Pre-Digital Phone Line (PDPL).
We’ve chosen the Pre-Digital Phone Line (PDPL) for several important reasons:
Supplier Compatibility: Tunstall and Chubb’s IP Connectors are not yet widely available, and our current Appello platform does not support them. PDPL gives us valuable time for suppliers to develop and release compatible equipment.
Future-Proofing: With PDPL, we have breathing space until 2030, allowing more of our grouped systems to be replaced as part of our ongoing replacement programme.
Cost-Effectiveness: PDPL is the more budget-friendly option, being less expensive than purchasing IP Connectors and replacing existing landlines.
This approach ensures we remain flexible, cost-conscious, and ready for future technology upgrades.
Blog: Hanover Warden Call System Rollout with Appello.
Hanover’s Asset Management team, led by Investment Project Manager Ricky Jones, is making significant strides in enhancing resident safety and digital inclusion across Scotland.
Now in the second year of a four-year programme, 32 developments have already benefited from the installation of the new Appello digital Warden Call system.
The Appello Warden Call system rollout is modernising resident safety by replacing analogue equipment with a fast, reliable digital solution. Residents now benefit from voice and video communication, integrated door entry and telecare sensors, and user-friendly interfaces designed for all abilities. Tailored training and support ensure everyone can use the system confidently, with early feedback highlighting improved security, independence, and digital inclusion.
Case Study: Modernising Telecare at East Lothian Housing Association
East Lothian Housing Association (ELHA) recently transitioned from an outdated analogue warden call system to a more flexible, person-centred telecare approach. Following a review and resident consultation, ELHA found that only a small number of tenants required telecare support. As a result, the legacy system was decommissioned and replaced with individual alarm units for those who needed or preferred them.
This change not only ensures continued emergency support for vulnerable residents but also reduces unnecessary costs for others, helping tenants during the cost of living crisis. The project has empowered residents to maintain greater independence, streamlined service delivery, and paved the way for future reclassification of amenity housing to general needs, making the service more sustainable and adaptable for the years ahead.
We have been alerted to a rise in telecare-related scams across Scotland, including reports from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Trading Standards Service. Fraudsters are contacting residents by phone or sending unsolicited letters, claiming to represent telecare services. These scammers often request personal details and bank information, or attempt to sell unnecessary and costly equipment under false pretences.
Please rely the below information to service users:
Legitimate telecare calls will only come from your official provider.
If you receive a suspicious call, do not share any personal or financial information. Hang up, clear the line, and contact your trusted telecare service directly.
If you suspect a scam call or message related to telecare, pressing your telecare button is a safe and recommended action.
Your existing telecare equipment does not require changes for the digital switchover, and no additional contracts or payments are needed. Stay vigilant and protect yourself from scams.
Winter Readiness.
Last year, the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland launched the Health and Social Care Winter Preparedness Plan 2024–25 to ensure services remain resilient during the colder months. The plan focuses on four key priorities:
Supporting communities to stay well and connected
Delivering the right care in the right place
Maximising system capacity and resilience
Supporting the workforce and carers
Action for Providers:
Please share this advice with your service users throughout the winter months. Key steps include:
Testing telecare devices to confirm they are working properly
Preparing for power cuts by advising users to keep a charged mobile phone and emergency contacts handy
Ensuring homes are warm and safe, with heating set to at least 18°C
Digital Leadership Webinar- Pioneering Digital Telecare: Harnessing data and digital to unlock innovation
On the 10th December, David Brown, Colin McFadyen, and Sam Leonard will be speaking at the Digital Leadership Webinar, sharing insights under the theme “Pioneering Digital Telecare: Harnessing data and digital to unlock innovation.”
The session will showcase our ongoing work supporting the transition from analogue to digital telecare, including the development and implementation of the Shared Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) and our dedicated data project stream.
Attendees will gain an understanding of the background and evolution of digital telecare in Scotland, the benefits of collaborative approaches, and how harnessing data is driving service improvement and innovation.
This is a valuable opportunity to learn from leaders at the forefront of digital transformation in health and social care.
Join us at DigiFest Scotland 2025, the flagship national conference for digital health and social care, taking place on Thursday, 11 December in Glasgow.
Organised by the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre and delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland, in association with Futurescot as our event delivery partner, DigiFest is the official event for everyone shaping the future of health and care across Scotland. From NHS teams to social care providers, housing and third sector organisations, local authorities, Health & Social Care Partnerships and research communities—this is your space to connect, share, and lead.
This year, DigiFest arrives at a critical moment.
December 2025 marks the start of the national rollout of the Digital Front Door programme—beginning in NHS Lanarkshire. This transformative initiative will revolutionise how citizens access health and social care services, giving people easier, faster and more intuitive digital pathways to the care and support they need.
Whether you’re delivering services on the frontline, designing better systems behind the scenes, or researching the next generation of care models, DigiFest is where it all comes together.
