1.8 million vulnerable people at risk as analogue alarm system axed | UK | News

A vital life line used by about 1.8 million elderly adults, disabled people and survivors of diseases or injuries in the UK may find itself in danger in many personal alarm systems that will stop working as analog frame lines go into digital telephone systems.

The person who can be worn as a necklace alarm or wrist band allows users to call for help and help at any time, such as falling or injuries.

Initially, the alarm systems were connected through a telephone line, but as the nation moves from traditional constant lines to a digital solution, many alarm systems may stop leaving vulnerable people without the need to live their safety network life independently.

The last time for the transition is January 2027, and so far the majority of alarm systems have already switched, but it does not have all systems, that is, analog telekare systems for a handful of people may no longer be reliable.

Even more worrying, which? Recently, older generation devices have discovered that they are still available online, and the providers do not clearly state that they will always stop working soon, Daily Mail.

Sue Davies, Head of Consumer Protection Policy, said: “The deadline for the key -over is approaching rapidly, and the majority of the UK was moved to digital networks.

“Shocking is that some telecare providers continue to sell analog products when they can risk life.

“Which? These sellers reported that their products should be removed immediately.”

MS.Davies also called on to prevent the sale of old devices and to respond accordingly if companies continue to make ‘decisive action’.

As part of an investigation into personal alarms, which? At the beginning of the month, the largest wire maintenance providers looked at seven of their websites. They found that three of these seven people still sell analog devices.

Compared to digital successors, these alarms are often much cheaper, they create more concern in the midst of the cost of the life crisis, conscious consumers about their finances may prefer cheaper option without really appreciation of risks.

The most stores were Surersafe, which was found to sell three devices that required an analogue fixed line to function, but none of the product lists mentioned anything about a digital transition or knowledgeable customers.

However, since the investigation, the company has been contacted since then and has updated its websites. So far, ‘analogs’ clear words in the explanations and removed them from the list of digital alarms.

Two companies have been found to sell analog devices in Careline365 and LifeConnect24 and that analog alarms will not work or stop working soon, but which one? I felt that this would confuse customers by sending mixed messages because they continued to sell them.

LifeConnect24 fested digital alternatives under fire for the choice of language, as it framed it as a “strongly recommended” upgrade rather than a functional necessity that may prove that it may have life -saving consequences.

In 2023, two vulnerable people died in tragically after the fixed connections were closed, which prevented his personal alarms from working.

This destructive situation encouraged the government to initiate a statute that requires temporarily pause the transition of all providers from analog to digital.

On which by the other four companies were investigated?

The government wrote the following as part of the Telecere national action plan published in February this year: “The sale and purchase of analog devices must be stopped in order to gradually remove analog telecare devices.

“Companies that supply telecare equipment known as ‘Telecare Suppliers’ should no longer produce analog equipment and government expects the vendors to stop selling them.”

Although there are several years in digital transition construction, some public members can be forgiven because they do not realize what the transition means to them. However, the same cannot be said for businesses, experts argue that there is no “excuse için to ensure that the enterprises operating in the sector are not aware of.

Stephen Kinnock, Minister of Health and Social Care, said: “People rely on telekare devices to keep them safe to help them when they need it – the safety of users is vital.

“We are working with the industry to make digital switching for telecare devices and to ensure the protection of people – and last year we wrote to suppliers, suppliers who called on an analog devices to end the sale of analog devices.

“We will welcome which one will welcome people and have a positive effect for them to make a conscious choice when it comes to telecare devices, and encourage them to buy devices that will support and will be safer and more reliable in the future.”

Carelin365 and LifeConnect24 spokesperson: uz We have been preparing for digital transition for years, and as a result, the majority of the products we sell are digital devices.

“However, there is a small minority of vulnerable consumers that an analogue device may be the only way to ensure the safety and stayed during the transition to digital.”

In the meantime, a representative from Suresafe said: “Suresafe has been the first mobile alarm provider since 2015, 99% of all alarms sold with SIM -based and completely digitally sold and mobile devices for mobile devices to support digital transition and mobile devices.

“The remaining need for analog devices is very limited, in cases where there is not only a mobile signal or the Internet and an analog line remains.

“We refined our messaging to make it clearer as the only option for our efforts to emphasize the importance of the transition and to make it clearer for our customers using analog.”