Decision details

Procurement of the Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Monitoring Service Contract

Decision Maker: Leader of the Council

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Purpose:

The TEC Monitoring Service contract delivered by Centra will expire on the 31 July 2022. Therein, we are required to tender and procure a contracted provider for the delivery of this service.

 

Decision:

that the Leader of the Council:

 

1)    Approves the procurement strategy for the procurement of a Technology Enabled Care Monitoring Service Contract via the ESPO Framework; and

 

2)    Delegates authority to the Director of Adult Health and Social Care in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance Services, Director of Finance and Commercial Services and the lead Executive Member for Health and Social Care to award such contract and take such other necessary steps not covered by existing delegations to achieve the outcomes outlined in the report.

 

 

Reasons for the decision:

The current contract for Assistive Technology is due to expire 31 July 2022.  There are presently 9,015 connections to the service throughout the city, the procurement is required for the continued delivery of Call Monitoring Services. 

 

If the contract expires without being re-procured, we will be placed in a position where we are unable to contract for any further TEC Monitoring services with the present provider, leaving the potential for no monitoring or management of alerts/alarms or emergency responses for new and existing community telecare alarm equipment in Sheffield.

 

TEC enables older people to continue to live independently in their own homes with the security of 24/7 emergency support.  This is a key concept/principle of the service in reducing the admissions to hospital and residential care. 

 

In the event of the loss of the dedicated provider, many individuals would no longer be safe to live independently in their own home increasing the number of care home admissions.  This option is considerably more expensive, impacting on both the tenant and Sheffield City Council at a time of financial pressures. 

 

Alternative options considered:

The option of a 2-year contract was considered, but it was decided that a 2-year term would restrict potential alternative options after period of 1 year, should the opportunity arise. There was also the risk of financial penalties arising from activating a voluntary break clause during a 2-year term.

We are keen to explore the potential benefits of wider connectivity for TEC services linked to key service areas, such as our Integrated Community Equipment Loan Service, and jointly commissioned Care at Night service. There is also the opportunity to explore links with external services such as NHS 111.

The future option for the delivery of TEC Monitoring Services inhouse will be explored, being mindful of the potential operating costs both from staffing terms and conditions and the capital and revenue implications of the necessary investment in a TEC monitoring system platform. 

The is also the option to explore the development of a regional South Yorkshire TEC Monitoring Services Hub, as part of the new Integrated Care System (ICS) bringing together the full range of TEC from a health and social care perspective, such as Telehealth, Tele-Medicine, Assistive Technology and Telecare.

 

Publication date: 22/12/2021

Date of decision: 22/12/2021

Effective from: 06/01/2022

Accompanying Documents: