Following extensive consultation, Dover District Council is now able to confirm that Shepway's Lifeline service will be the successful alternative provider for its Careline customers. All customers have been informed of the change to the service.
Dover District Council has decided to close its own community alarm service, White Cliffs Careline, on 31 March, and following a competitive process, Shepway District Council were chosen to take over a lifeline service for the 1,554 customers in Dover District.
Cllr Mrs Sue Nicholas, Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing, Local Authority Housing, Landlord Policy and Tenant Affairs at Dover District Council, said the decision had been made after extensive consultation with customers.
"Our customers told us they wanted a local provider, no increase in costs, the same level of care and an organisation with the same values as Dover District Council, all of which has been achieved by the move to Shepway. I am very pleased that our work with Shepway responds to all our customers' wishes."
Three and a half thousand elderly and vulnerable people already use Shepway's Lifeline, which offers a 24-hour alarm service through a pendant worn around the neck. When activated, the pendant triggers a call to Lifeline staff who alert a named person who can then check on the pendant wearer and, if necessary, call the emergency services.
As part of the move, staff from Dover will transfer to the Lifeline centre in Folkestone to enable the service to cope with the extra new customers.
Cllr Keren Belcourt, Shepway Council's Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "I am delighted that Shepway will be providing this service to vulnerable people in the Dover area. This work is a natural extension of the services that we already provide to many residents in Shepway and across Kent."
