Hull City Council employs more than 4,000 people in diverse jobs such as tuning the Guildhall clocks and lifting the bridges over the River Hull. Today, we meet telecare coordinator JP Pretorius, who tells us how his job helps to give confidence to vulnerable adults.
Some of Hull’s most vulnerable adults are maintaining their independence thanks to high-tech care equipment.
Telecare and assistive technology – meaning button, sensor or remote trigger – allows Hull City Council’s telecare and sensory team to care for the city’s vulnerable adults from a distance.
It is done through Kingston Care Lifeline, a service that links users to their call centre through the technology.
It allows call centre workers to communicate with the user to then assess whether they need an ambulance or family member.
The tech includes:
- Personal triggers worn around the neck, wrist or on clothing with a button to press for help
- Bed or chair occupancy sensors to provide an early warning alert when the user has left a bed or chair and not returned within a certain time
- Smoke and heat detectors that raise an instant alarm call to Kingston Care Lifeline.
JP tells us about the benefits of the equipment.
What are the benefits of the telecare and assistive technology equipment?
Telecare and assistive technology equipment helps to support people to become more independent and safer in their day-to-day lives. This gives them confidence, as well as reassurance to their family members. The technology has a positive impact on both the person and their family and carers.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
One of the greatest things about my job is going back to visit people to find out how the equipment is helping them. It is amazing to see what a difference telecare and assistive technology equipment can make to someone.
Telecare coordinator JP Pretorius.
We recently provided equipment, including a lifeline pendant, to a lady with cerebral palsy who is a full-time wheelchair user and lives with her parents. Her parents felt unable to leave her in the house alone as they were worried in case she needed assistance.
When I went back to visit her and her family it was so lovely to hear that the equipment had given her the confidence to be in the house alone as she knew she could press the pendant if she needed assistance.
Her parents also told me that they now felt able to pop out to the shops as they have peace of mind that their daughter can request help should she need it. It was great to see that the equipment has increased her independence and provide her family with reassurance.
How else can assistive technology be used?
We work really closely with our colleagues in health, especially those who work at the hospital, as telecare technology can be really useful in supporting people who have been in hospital to safely return to their own home. The equipment can provide that added bit of security that help can be sought quickly should it be needed.
How can be people access this support?
People can access this support by calling the direct telecare number 01482 318 700. We also take a lot of internal referrals from other Adult Social Care Teams.
Access advice and information about staying independent at Hull Connect to Support.
And find more information about telecare or how to access the Kingston Lifeline service here.
