Telecommunications providers across the UK, such as BT, Virgin Media, Sky and Talk Talk are replacing analogue phone lines with digital equivalents with analogue phone lines being switched off by January 2027.

This shift means that phone services will be delivered in the same way as internet connections and will affect the delivery of telecare services across Scotland.

As part of this, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) is commencing a project to upgrade our Telecare and Community Alarm service. Over the next 18 months we will look to replace existing analogue alarms with new digital alarms for all service users.  

Stephen Fitzpatrick, our HSCP’s Assistant Chief Officer Older People’s Services and South Operations said: “We’re committed to ensuring a smooth transition to digital telecare and will work diligently to support our customers throughout this process. We’re currently communicating with our service users to ensure they’re kept up to date with the progress of this digital rollout”.

Customers with analogue telecare alarms will require to have their devices replaced with new digital alarms, as analogue alarms will not work reliably on a digital connection.

What benefits will digital alarms offer? 
•    faster connection to our call handlers
•    improved sound quality 
•    safer - Digital Alarms are more reliable and let us know if there is an issue, like loss of power.

A dedicated project team has been set up specifically tasked with safely transitioning our customers over to digital technology. We’ll contact service users in advance to schedule appointments for digital alarm installation and setup.

Where can I get more information?

We’ll update the Digital Telecare webpage as more information becomes available.

If you have any questions or concerns about the transition to digital telecare, then email us at telecare@sw.glasgow.gov.uk.