The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has called for stronger regulation and oversight of Technology Enabled Care services, warning that vulnerable people could face increased fire safety risks as reliance on home care technology grows.
Around two million people across the UK use telecare to support independent living, including older people, people with disabilities and those with long term health conditions.
Vulnerable residents face greater risks
NFCC said many telecare users are also among those most vulnerable to fire. Over the past decade, more than a third of fire fatalities in England involved people aged over 65 who were living alone.
Fire and rescue services have raised longstanding concerns about Technology Enabled Care services following incidents involving vulnerable people who have died in fires.
Coroners’ Prevention of Future Deaths Reports issued during the past two decades have identified recurring problems. These include fire risks not being identified, linked smoke detection not being installed, alarms not being connected to monitoring systems and critical information not reaching emergency responders.
Demand for telecare expected to increase
Demand is expected to grow as the population ages and more care is provided within people’s homes.
More than a quarter of the population is projected to be aged over 65 by 2065, while an estimated 9.1 million people in England are expected to be living with a major illness by 2040.
NFCC is calling on the UK and devolved governments to review and strengthen regulation covering Technology Enabled Care services, including standards, accreditation and quality assurance.
Fire Chiefs seek greater accountability
Terry Pinto, Technology Enabled Care Lead at the NFCC, and Prevention Lead at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Telecare can be life-saving, but only when a person’s needs and fire risks are properly assessed and equipment is installed, maintained and monitored in accordance with recognised British Standards.
“Having personally reviewed fatal fires in Norfolk and supported other fire and rescue services with similar cases, I have seen the same concerns arise repeatedly.
“It is deeply concerning that issues identified years ago are still occurring, particularly when we know that getting these systems right can save lives.
“We need stronger oversight, consistent standards and clear accountability across the sector. People who rely on telecare should be able to trust that these systems will provide the protection they expect when they need it most.”
NFCC said accreditation remains voluntary across many areas of the sector. Less than two thirds of Technology Enabled Care alarm receiving centres are currently certified through the TEC Services Association’s Quality Standards Framework.
Standards and training recommended
NFCC is calling for all Technology Enabled Care providers to hold third party accreditation, alarm receiving centre staff to receive accredited training and providers to demonstrate compliance with relevant British Standards.
Fire prevention and mitigation measures should also form part of health based risk assessments for vulnerable people.
NFCC said this should include linked and monitored smoke and carbon monoxide detection where residents may be unable to respond appropriately or evacuate without assistance during a fire.
Alyson Scurfield OBE, Chief Executive of the TEC Services Association (TSA), said: “NFCC’s position is a strong endorsement of the importance of standards, independent certification and quality assurance in technology enabled care. We particularly welcome its call for TEC providers to be independently certified through a UKAS-accredited body.
“TSA has long supported higher and more consistent standards across the sector, and through TEC Quality and the Quality Standards Framework we are helping providers demonstrate that they meet recognised standards and give commissioners and people who use TEC greater confidence in the services they rely on.
“We look forward to continuing our work with NFCC to support safer, higher-quality TEC.”
Digital switchover creates opportunity
NFCC has also called for continuous and adequate government funding for local authorities supporting Technology Enabled Care provision, alongside independent academic research into patient safety and fire risk.
The organisation said the ongoing digital switchover provides an opportunity to improve resilience, safety and standards as Technology Enabled Care services continue to modernise.
