Herts Careline has its contract for assistive technology services for the elderly extended by Hertfordshire County Council.

Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) has agreed to extend a partnership with North Herts Council for the delivery of telecare and assistive technology services across Hertfordshire, until 2031.

At recent cabinet meetings of the district and county councils, it was agreed to extend the £3.3m-a-year partnership – which had been due to last until March 2026 – for a further five years.

North Herts Council’s Herts Careline service, in partnership with HCC, supports more than 13,000 residents with telecare technology that’s designed to help them live independently in their own homes for longer. This includes emergency pendant alarms, door sensors, fall detectors, smoke detectors, bathmats and smart plugs, which combine to provide both reactive and preventative support to enable greater independent living at home.

Alerts for help are sent to Herts Careline’s 24/7 control room, based at North Herts Council’s offices in Letchworth Garden City, where a team of call operators arrange emergency help around the clock, frequently taking 1,500 calls per day. Other sensors can be monitored via a new, award-winning dashboard – known as Data Inspired Living – which can be used to monitor falls, activity, inactivity, sleep, routines, medication, light, temperature, self-care, mobility and toilet use by families and care givers.

Cllr Tony Kingsbury, HCC’s Executive Member for Adult Care, Health and Wellbeing, said the partnership had been instrumental in providing county-wide telecare and assistive technology services since 2021. Since then, they had upgraded more than 150,000 telecare devices, implemented a fully digitised system and introduced a range of sensors that provide real-time information to families and professionals.

Cllr Daniel Allen, Leader of North Herts Council, said: "Careline is an absolute jewel in the crown of North Herts Council. We’re incredibly fortunate to have this service, which provides such vital support to our community. Extending Careline for another five years is a decision I’m immensely proud of. I also want to take a moment to sincerely thank the officers whose hard work and dedication have made this possible – your efforts are deeply appreciated.”

For more information about Herts Careline, visit: www.care-line.co.uk or call 0300 999 2 999.