Support for carers 'at the touch of a button' - new partnership to promote technology in caring

The London conference on 3 June, which is primarily aimed at health and social care professionals and voluntary organisations, will be the first ‘public’ display of allegiance between the two organisations since they embarked on a strategic partnership towards the end of last year.

Redmond will use the conference as a platform to outline the capacity for telecare to transform the lives of the UK’s six million carers and those they care for - increasing independence, enhancing quality of life and enabling more carers to take up employment. Highlighting these benefits is a key focus for the partnership between Carers UK and Tunstall, in order to encourage more ‘buy-in’ among carers and support from key decision-makers.

Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive at Carers UK comments: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Tunstall as a partner. Technology is an increasingly significant development in social care helping to modernise and transform care services. In real terms, if that means that carers have greater independence and the freedom to pursue their own careers and personal lives with peace of mind, then we embrace the future! Indeed, our belief in the future of telecare is so strong that we ensured it was an integral recommendation for the new National Carers’ Strategy, to be announced imminently.

“Significantly, this alliance will help us as an organisation to fully understand the issues so that we can help carers make an informed choice about the support network they build for themselves and their loved ones. The conference in June is the perfect platform from which to increase knowledge and understanding of this area among key decision makers and those in direct contact with carers and the people the care for.”  

James Buckley, CEO at Tunstall adds: “With our expertise in care-related technology, we are confident that our work with Carers UK will increase people’s understanding of the support options available and the life-transforming potential of technology based systems. We fully support Carers UK in calling for real solutions to give carers greater independence.

“Telecare provides much needed reassurance and ‘peace of mind’ for carers, informing them immediately if a loved one needs help, feels unwell, has fallen or is in danger.  This not only gives users greater independence in their own homes, but also gives carers the freedom to go to work safe in the knowledge that their loved ones are supported.”

Telecare technology consists of a range of sensors which monitor risks and environmental conditions around the home, automatically raising an alert if assistance is needed – ensuring help is always at hand and empowering users of these services and carers with greater independence and freedom.

As part of the link-up with Carers UK, a booklet Support for Carers – Solutions for Independent Living has been produced by Tunstall to provide an introduction to telecare technology and offer practical advice on how it can support carers and those they care for to live more independently.  To help demonstrate the improvements that telecare can bring in terms of quality of life, the Guide presents real life examples of how technology based systems promote greater independence, provide reassurance for carers and form an additional support network. The booklet is available to download at the Equal Partners website www.carersuk.org/equalpartners.

To find out more information about the London conference on 3 June or the Leeds conference on 26 June, please visit www.tunstall.co.uk/events

Carers UK is the voice for Carers.  Visit www.carersuk.org for more information.

ENDS

For further information please contact Tracey Thompson or Caroline Beswick at Trinity PR on 020 8786 3860.  Alternatively, email caroline.beswick@trinitypr.co.uk

 Notes to editors:

• Tunstall is the market leading provider of telecare and telehealth solutions, with over 2.5 million users globally.  Tunstall provides technology, expertise and advice to millions of people, enabling them to lead independent, more fulfilling lives.
• Tunstall’s range of smart sensors provides a comprehensive way of managing the risk associated with an individual’s health and home environment, delivering tailored care through remote monitoring and proactive management of risks by triggering a call to the Response Centre or designated carer if assistance is required.  More information is available at www.tunstall.co.uk.
• Carers UK is the leading campaigning, policy and information organisation of and for carers.  Carers UK continues to make a difference to carers’ lives by:

-  Campaigning for a better deal for carers

-  Informing carers of their rights and what help is available

-  Training and advising professionals who work with carers

-  Working across the UK through its membership and networks of branches and affiliates

• For more information, visit www.carersuk.org or for advice on your caring situation call CarersLine on T. 0808 808 7777.
• Carers UK and Tunstall will both be actively involved in the 14th annual Carers Week in June 2008 which will highlight the impact caring can have on carers’ health and wellbeing. Carers Week is organised by ten leading charities, including Carers UK, to support the UK’s six million carers. For more details visit www.carersweek.org
• Carers UK Equal Partners helps carers to make their voice heard and improve local services.  Equal Partners gives you the facts, skills and back-up to achieve change locally.