Have your say on Rothercare alarm service

CONSULTATION events are being held to improve the Rothercare alarm system – which handles more than 27,000 calls a month.

Rotherham Council pledged to review the service following controversy about the number of people paying for it but receiving no cover because they do not have a landline.

The £3.50-a-week charge for the emergency alarm pendants is mandatory for many council tenancies, which led to it being nicknamed the “bungalow tax”.

The Advertiser revealed last year that RMBC can now hook up the alarm to mobile phones, which many residents had not been told about.

In April this year, the council admitted that nearly half of the 8,000 households paying for Rothercare were not receiving the emergency cover. The current number of users has dropped to 6,900.

Now the Rothercare review will look into all aspects of the service, including the cost and mandatory charge linked to tenancies.

Cllr David Roche, RMBC cabinet member for adult social care and health, said: “Rothercare is an invaluable service the council offers to residents to ensure they can continue to live independently in their own homes.

“However, we want to do more to enable people to live their best lives, within local communities.

“Whether you access the Rothercare services, know someone who does, or live or work in Rotherham, please complete the consultation online or by attending one of the drop-in sessions.”

Consultation runs until November 13. Visit www.rotherham.gov.uk/consultations

Or attend a drop-in sessions:

Wath Library on Tuesday, September 5 (10.30am to noon); Monday, October 2 (10.30am to noon); and Tuesday, November 3 (2pm to 3.30pm).

Maltby Library on Wednesday, September 13 (10.30am to noon); Thursday, October 12 (5.30pm to 7pm); and Wednesday, November 8 (10.30am to noon).

Riverside House Library on Wednesday September 20 (10.30am to noon); Wednesday, October 25 (10.30am to noon); and Thursday, November 7 (2pm to 3.30pm).

Bakersfield Court on Wednesday, September 6 (2 to 3.30pm); Wednesday, October 4 (10.30am to noon); and Thursday, November 2 (10.30am to noon).

The service also provides low level assistive technology equipment including fall detectors, clocks and medication dispensers at no charge. Visit www.rotherham.gov.uk/adult-social-care/apply-community-alarm for more information.