Published

Steps are now being taken to safeguard a lifesaving Council service that relies on traditional telephony.

Currently, Mobile Emergency Care Service (MECS) users raise an alarm by pressing a button that sends a distress signal to the Council’s contact centre via an analogue phone line. However, telecommunication firms will turn off these lines by 2025, converting to fully digital platforms.

Now, thanks to an ongoing, rolling software and hardware upgrade programme, nearly 40% of all households using MECS have had new equipment installed that will continue to operate once the switch to digital is complete.

The move allows for better service delivery including increased reliability and efficiency. It also provides an opportunity to potentially further develop the service offering in the future thanks to improved functionality.

Liz McGhee, Service Manager, Social Work – Adult Services, said: “If we didn’t convert to digital, MECS could not continue in its current form and alternative support would need to be found for our service users. By starting the introduction of new equipment now, it puts the Council at the forefront of digital transformation and ensures minimal service disruption when analogue lines are fully turned off.”

The transfer from analogue to digital is just one of two Council of the Future projects currently being undertaken by Social Work Adult Services.