Newcastle - Nothing New

There are restrictions on this. You have to be new to Telecare and not have access to other alarm services, ie sheltered housing. Also it's only 10 years or so since Newcastle changed its policy and started charging everyone. At one time the service was free to people who lived in council property on housing benefit no matter what age, and not only for six months. When the policy changed hundreds of people got rid of their alarm service. What happens after six months who pays then?

Is this a sales ploy to try to encourage / bribe families to pay for the service after the six months on the basis people will feel guilty having it taken away?

It would be interesting to see what percentage carry on with telecare services after the six months and to see if they do keep the service. Do they keep the Telecare part or just revert back to a standard, cheaper alarm pendant service? I think this is more of a sales pitch rather than making a case for free Telecare. One other point - will the uers get a choice of equipment or will it be one size fits all and one manufacturers equipment?