Telecare

Telecare Services Association

What is it?

A UK trade association established in March 1995 (as the Association of Social Alarms Providers) to represent the interests of the social alarms and telecare sector. Became the Telecare Services Association (or TSA) in 2005.

What does it do?

• Promotes awareness of telecare and the contribution it can make to its users’ wellbeing and security;
• develops and spreads best practice within the sector (through its Department of Health and Welsh Assembly Government-endorsed Code of Practice);
• encourages a continuing programme of service improvement among its members;
• regulates the professional performance of members;
• promotes and delivers training for members; and
• provides independent information and advice to telecare users and potential users.

What do I need to know about the TSA?

With the older population — and the numbers of those suffering from dementia — growing all the time, and with fewer people to care for this sector of the population (due to the increasing dispersion of families and a steadily decreasing birth rate), any new developments to help support older and vulnerable people to remain at home as long as they can, should they so wish, are important. Increased restrictions on social services budgets, too, make the development of telecare services even more vital.

The TSA, being an independent, not-for-profit organisation, is able to give independent and impartial advice to all who need it — the public, its own members and members of the telecare professions — via its website (www.tsa.org.uk ), to enable them to make informed choices about telecare and its implementation.

Who can join the TSA?

Membership is open to providers of social alarm and other telecare products and services and those who market, promote, maintain and contract out these products and services (and other categories at the discretion of the Association’s Board). The Association currently has just under 300 members. Contact details?

For a membership pack, please contact the Association at: TSA, 10 Railway Street, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4JL. website: www.tsa.org.uk

You can also telephone the TSA on 01634 846209 or email at [email protected]