Earlier this year, Wolverhampton City Council announced it was considering proposals to deliver some of its in-house care and support services differently.
They include the Carelink and Telecare alarm systems, which are designed to help vulnerable people remain independent for longer.
The council wants to hear from existing and prospective service users and their families about proposals to either keep Carelink and Telecare as council services or to transfer them to an external market provider.
The consultation is now underway and will continue until 20 February, 2015. People can have their say either by calling Rose Powell on 01902 555494 or emailing rose.powell@wolverhampton.gov.uk, or attending one of 2 drop in sessions taking place next month.
They will be held at Warstones Resource Centre, Warstones Road, Penn, on Thursday 15 January, 2015 from 10am to 12.15pm and a second at Committee Room 3, Third Floor, Civic Centre, St Peter's Square, Wolverhampton on Friday 16 January, 2015 from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
Councillor Steve Evans, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "The Carelink and Telecare alarm systems are two very important services which give vulnerable people help and support to be able to live independently for longer.
"It should be stressed that we are asking people for their views about providing services in a more cost effective way - not about cutting the services. Indeed, the level and quality of the service must not be diminished and that has been a priority of the discussions we have had with prospective providers.
"We're also keen to investigate any alternatives that may be suggested during the consultation period before we make our decision."
He added: "These proposals have been drawn up because the council is experiencing an increase in demand for social care services at the same time as the council is facing an unprecedented financial challenge because of Government cutbacks.
"We have to make savings of £123 million between now and 2019 - on top of the £100 million we have saved over the last 5 years - and so we have to look at all our services to make sure they offer the best quality support to our customers while also providing good value for money to taxpayers."
Carelink is a pendant alarm system enabling service users to call for help in an emergency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Telecare offers a range of additional equipment such as smoke and flood sensors and temperature control detectors to raise the alarm.
For further information about the proposals, please call Rose Powell on 01902 555494 or email rose.powell@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
- released: Thursday 18 December, 2014