Verity Healthcare

Council leaders have given the inexperienced gentle for a merger of Tendring Careline with Colchester’s Helpline service, establishing a unified 24/7 telecare, response, and lifting service for residents throughout North East Essex.

Tendring District Council (TDC) launched its Careline service 40 years in the past to help older and susceptible residents at residence with assistive expertise like fall bracelets, making certain swift response and assist in case of falls.

Not too long ago, nevertheless, the council-run service has confronted rising competitors from non-public firms providing related companies.

The way forward for Careline underwent a year-long evaluation, adopted by a session final summer season with clients, residents, and different stakeholders on numerous choices. These included doubtlessly discontinuing the service and serving to clients discover different suppliers.

In November 2024, the council’s cupboard delayed the ultimate determination on Careline’s future to additional take into account session suggestions and discover completely different choices, together with proposals from Colchester Metropolis Council (CCC) and its Helpline service, in addition to different third events inquisitive about taking up the Careline service.

On 21 February 2025, TDC’s Cupboard authorized proposals to switch Careline customers and employees to the Helpline service, managed by CCC’s arms-length firm, Amphora, which can increase to serve your complete North East Essex space.

Councillor Gina Placey, TDC Cupboard Member for Partnerships, stated: “I’m delighted to announce that my cupboard colleagues and I’ve authorized the proposal to push forward with plans for a mixed and expanded telecare, response, and lifting service protecting Colchester and Tendring.

“Careline has been an necessary service for practically 40 years, and residents desire a service to proceed. With modifications within the telecare business and elevated competitors, merging companies with Colchester is the most suitable choice. This ensures no disruption to the service or modifications to clients’ phrases.

“I thank our devoted employees and Careline clients for his or her persistence and sit up for a clean transition with Colchester Helpline.”

TDC’s cupboard heard that an expanded Colchester Helpline service is finest positioned to supply a long-term resolution that aligns with the objectives of the North East Essex Well being and Wellbeing Alliance, of which TDC is a associate. It would additionally align with potential native authorities reorganisation proposals, which, by 2028, might see Tendring, Colchester, and different councils throughout Essex merge to kind bigger unitary authorities.

The cupboard’s help is contingent on Colchester Helpline guaranteeing service protection throughout Tendring, sustaining quick response instances and transferring current employees to the expanded service beneath their present phrases and circumstances.

This determination units the stage for an in depth transition plan, which can even see TDC’s Out-of-Hours, CCTV companies, and monitoring for the council’s sheltered housing schemes transferred to the Colchester Helpline.

Councillor David King, Chief of Colchester Metropolis Council, commented: “I’m delighted that we are able to transfer ahead with this partnership, which brings collectively the strengths of each Tendring Careline and Colchester’s Helpline 24/7 to create a unified, high-quality service for residents throughout North East Essex. This merger not solely preserves the legacy of each companies but additionally enhances them by means of a contemporary, digitally led strategy that meets the evolving wants of our communities.

“We’re notably proud that Colchester Amphora has been instrumental in driving this initiative ahead and can play a key position in delivering the expanded service.

“Working along with Tendring District Council, Amphora is dedicated to delivering a seamless transition that ensures continued wonderful care and help for purchasers, whereas additionally offering worth for cash and securing a sustainable future for the service.

“This collaboration displays our shared imaginative and prescient for a linked and resilient North East Essex and demonstrates the facility of partnership in delivering the perfect outcomes for our communities.”

The merger of the Colchester and Tendring companies will happen inside the 2025/2026 monetary yr, with the present Careline service remaining energetic 24/7 all through the transition interval.

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