Colinshiel Court
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm announced new grant fund at Colinshiel Court
On 15 August the Minister for Communities, Malcolm Chisholm, visited Colinshiel Court, Armadale, where he launched an £8m Scotland-wide programme in support of Telecare services. The West Lothian health and social care partnership is among the world's leaders in provision of Telecare services.
The Minister launched the Telecare programme in support of life-saving electronic devices in people's homes. Telecare includes use of personal alarms, devices that can tell when someone falls, and other electronic aids that can trigger an escalating chain of responses from a call centre. If taps are left running or front or back doors of the property are opened between certain hours an alert is activated. The fund will support the take-up of Telecare services across Scotland, with a target of 75,000 clients in receipt of services. The £8m is being made available to health and social care partnerships across Scotland on a formula based on size and population profile.
Colinshiel Court provides housing care for older people, including some with mild dementia. Included is a community resource area with hairdresser, cafe, restaurant and activity rooms equipped with internet access. The tenancies are supported by existing assistive technology and by an on-site staff team.
Colinshiel is a partnership between West Lothian Council and Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association. West Lothian has already demonstrated that Telecare can improve quality of life for vulnerable people, reduce admissions to care homes and hospitals, reduce pressure for carers and bring peace of mind to families.