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Careline is good value for money
• IT is unfortunate that Blanche Mundlak continues to misrepresent the facts about Careline and in doing so is causing unnecessary anxiety to many older residents (Call centre is no answer, March 13).
In Camden, we are working with a social alarm provider, Invicta Telecare, who has many years’ experience delivering this service to vulnerable and older people. Working with a social alarm provider will free up Careline staff time to develop the service and explain the expanded range of products on offer.
For example, in addition to the pendant alarm, it is possible for people to have sensors to detect when the gas has been left on or when the sink or bath may be overflowing.
These are important services that can give additional peace of mind to older people and their relatives and friends.
Any contractor that the council works with has to have the necessary information to perform their duties under the contract and we will provide them with that information, after obtaining the appropriate approvals.
The council does not sell personal information to its contractors or anyone else. In Camden, two Careline staff continue to respond to calls, which none of the neighbouring boroughs offers.
And our service is reasonably priced for this double-handed response. This year’s prices per quarter are: Camden £58.50 per quarter; Islington £90.48; Haringey £77.48 Westminster £48.19; Kensington and Chelsea £69.
Next year our charges will rise by only 2.2 per cent, which is less than inflation and less than the rise in council tax, to £59.80 per quarter, which I believe continues to offer excellent value.
Cllr MARTIN DAVIES Conservative,
Frognal and Fitzjohns ward
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