SARH win top TSA award

Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) won the top prize at the Telecare Services Association (TSA) Crystal Awards for providing Lifeline equipment to customer Paul McKenzie so his dog Millie could learn how to sound the alarm if he fell ill.

The awards – presented at the TSA’s annual conference in London – recognised excellence in the industry across the UK and SARH was named the overall winner.

“Our goal was always to help Paul feel more secure in his home, but the award is wonderful recognition for the work that has been done,” said Karen Foster, Telecare Operations and Development Manager at SARH.

Paul is a brittle diabetic with severe neuropathy and suffers from dizzy spells.

One of SARH’s Telecare co-ordinators, Laura Williams, agreed to provide Paul with Lifeline equipment so a charity called Canine Partners could train his three-year-old Labrador to recognise when he needs assistance.

Over several weeks Millie learnt how to push a button on the SARH Lifeline system in his home that alerts their Telecare team that he needs help.

Millie has already used the Lifeline alarm twice, on one occasion Paul needed an ambulance after falling unconscious at his home in Derrington.

At the awards SARH’s efforts were praised for showing innovation, going the extra mile and making a real difference to customers’ lives.

“Our customers rely on our service to remain independent, safe and secure in their own homes and we will always work with them to meet their needs – whatever they may be,” said Karen.

SARH’s Lifeline system and Telecare home safety equipment connects more than 7,000 customers to its 24-hour Customer Call centre.

The equipment – such as motion sensors that can detect when a resident has fallen, and gas and fire monitors that trigger an emergency alarm – helps people live independently in their own homes.

Millie’s training has been so successful that SARH is now working with Canine Partners to help train other assistance dogs, using old Lifeline units.

Paul said: “Knowing that Millie is able to use the alarm is a huge comfort to me and has made me feel a lot more confident in my home.”