Do you use Telecare in your service? DHSC seeks best practice examples for National Telecare Action Plan

The UK’s digital phone switchover—the transition from analogue to digital telephone lines—is underway. This change has significant implications for telecare devices, particularly traditional analogue systems such as personal alarm pendants or warden call systems, which may no longer function reliably on digital lines. Over 2 million people in the UK rely on telecare, making it critical to ensure a smooth transition.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), working in partnership with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and sector stakeholders, is coordinating efforts to protect telecare users. In February 2025, DHSC published the Telecare National Action Plan (TNAP) to guide this transition.

A key step in this process is identifying telecare users to ensure they receive the necessary protection. BT and Virgin Media O2 are proactively contacting housing providers known to use telecare, aiming to establish data-sharing agreements to better support residents during the switchover. If your organisation uses telecare but has not yet been contacted, you are encouraged to reach out—DHSC can connect you with BT and VMO2.

Share Your Success Stories

DHSC is now seeking case studies and examples of best practice from housing providers that have upgraded their telecare systems in preparation for the switchover. Of particular interest are solutions for group schemes and warden call systems that have transitioned to digital.

These examples will inform the next update of the TNAP, helping demonstrate the range of effective approaches being used across the UK.

If your organisation has an example to share, please contact Emily Smith at DHSC by 14 July: 📧 Emily Smith