Innovative care for the elderly is 'one of best examples in UK'

A GOVERNMENT minister has praised North Yorkshire's innovative care services as among the best in the country and key to coping with a future crisis in caring for Britain's most vulnerable citizens.

Phil Hope, the Labour MP for Care Services, made the comments as he visited staff and 53 elderly residents at Greenfield Court, a supported housing scheme in Harrogate, yesterday.

Mr Hope heaped praise on the centre's Telecare facilities, which use electronic sensors and digital technology to provide round the clock care and allow residents greater independence.

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Mr Hope told the Yorkshire Post he hoped the methods used at Greenfield Court would be adopted up and down the country to help cope with Britain's growing elderly population.

He said: "This is one of the best examples of this system I have seen in the country and is extremely successful.

"I wanted to come and see the work that is done here first hand and it is a real privilege.

"There will be 1.7 million people needing care over the next few years and in 40 years time one elderly person to every two adults of working age.

"Telecare is a crucial part of coping with this.

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"The work I have seen is something that is being done right across North Yorkshire and the whole county is a great example of innovative support that is breaking the mould and challenging perceptions of care."

Telecare was introduced at Greenfield Court two years ago and staff say the state-of-the-art technology, including light sensors, flood detectors and wired up pendants and watches which link them to a call centre 24 hours a day, has transformed patients' lives.

Sue Ullman, chief executive of Harrogate Neighbours, who run both Greenfield Court and the nearby residential home Heath Lodge, said: "We are very proud of what is being achieved here.

"Every resident has benefited enormously from the Telecare and it often enables them to stay in supported accommodation rather than going into a care home."

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The Department of Health estimate Telecare could prevent 160,000 people from needing to enter residential care each year, saving a potential 2bn.

North Yorkshire County Council alone saved more than 1m through providing more than 12,000 people with Telecare over the last year.

This has cut the average person's care costs by 38 per cent, meaning an average annual saving of 3,600.

Derek Law, Corporate Director for North Yorkshire County Council's Adult and Community Services said: "We are delighted to be described as an exemplar authority and leading the way nationally in the use of assistive technology."