Question reference: S5W-01187
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 4 July 2016
-
Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 29 July 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is continuing to support procurement of analogue telecare services in light of the pending analogue switch-off by BT and, if so, for what reason.
Answer
Support for procurement of telecare services is currently provided by Scotland Excel, who manage the Telecare and Telehealth Technologies Procurement Framework (see http://www.scotland-excel.org.uk/contract.aspx?contract=0614). This is used by all 32 local authorities and a number of Health boards and housing associations to purchase the majority of their telecare equipment. The framework runs until December 2016, and mainly consists of analogue devices. Discussions are underway with Scotland Excel on the scope of the framework post-2016, and a decision will be made in October 2016.
Whilst the Scottish Government has no direct authority around local procurement procedures, officials will continue to work with organisations providing advice and guidance where applicable around future provision of telecare services.