Pensioners' emergency alarms to be scrapped

Emergency alarms for frail pensioners' in Walsall are being scrapped.

The Piper Alarm pull cord and intercom systems, which have been in use for 30 years, will be ditched on a case-by-case basis when they need repairing.

The alarms were in thousands of council houses which were transferred to Walsall Housing Group (WHG) in 2003 but are now thought to be out of date.

Elderly people in WHG homes can instead ask to be assessed for a new pendant to wear around their neck that detects smoke, extreme heat and cold temperatures.

Blakenall councillor Pete Smith said he has been contacted by a number of worried pensioners who have received letters informing them of the changes.

Jayne Cooper, WHG services manager for older people, said: "The alarms were in properties when housing stock was transferred from Walsall Council to WHG.

"The systems are 30 years old, which makes them difficult to repair as the parts are now obsolete. As and when each one needs repairing, it is being decommissioned. Letters are being sent out to those affected explaining what will happen."

Councillor Smith said: "There could be potentially thousands of people across the borough who have access to this system who could fall through the net if it is defunct.

"Each of them will have to be interviewed and assessed for a replacement safety pendant facility, for which there is a criteria to meet. If this is anything to do with saving money, then we may find that not everybody will qualify for the new system, creating a gap in services for the elderly and infirm.

"There may also a charge levied in future for the new system when it is introduced."

Those residents to have received letters from WHG informing them of the changes include a number in the Ryecroft area.

"They have been told they will now have to make individual applications to the council's older people's services and will only get a new up-to-date pendant alarm system if they pass the assessment test," Councillor Smith added.

"I am concerned that many older and vulnerable people living at home might be under the impression that their Piper Alarm system is working properly when indeed it may not be.

"I urge them and their close friends or family to check this as a matter of urgency, as it could be a matter of life or death."

The move comes after the council's social services reviewed the care packages of 4,800 elderly and disabled people as part of a shake-up. Those receiving day care, home care, residential and nursing care will be affected by the overhaul, which will impose a ceiling on funding through a government-designed formula.

The shake-up was part of a bid to slash £10 million from the social care budget over the next three years as the council attempts to save up to £60m by 2013.