SPAN is an alarm system aimed to help older or disabled people to live
independently in their own homes. Individuals are linked to our Care Centre who can provide help 24
hours a day, 365 days of the year. The Care Centre holds details of each person's friends and/or family
and will contact someone should the alarm be activated. They can also contact emergency services should
this be required.
Who can benefit from SPAN?
Anyone who feels vulnerable in their own home can benefit from the service.
There is no limit to who can benefit from the SPAN alarm service. Some of our clients include:
older people who want to continue to manage at home independently
but may be concerned about having a fall either in the daytime or at night
people who want to carry on gardening but are afraid they might fall or feel
unwell
a mother or father with a health problem who can care for the family with
confidence, knowing they have an easy and speedy means of communication
a person going into hospital for a major operation who will need an effective
communication system when they come out
a wheelchair user who can be alone when making tricky manoeuvres
a person fighting a terminal or degenerative illness and feeling at times
too tired to cope.
How
does it work?
We will install the equipment in your own home, all you need is a modern push in telephone socket and a three-pin power socket nearby. A lightweight pendant is supplied with the unit which can be worn on a cord around the neck or clipped onto clothing. By pressing the button on the pendant you will automatically make a telephone call to the care centre. This pendant can work from anywhere within an average sized house or garden. There is also a large red button on the alarm unit that will act in the same way as the pendant.
The Care Centre is staffed 24 hours a day by friendly efficient operators
who are trained to get help for you straight away. The operator will have details of your relatives,
friends, doctor or neighbours who can be contacted in an emergency. If you need the ambulance, police
or fire service, they can also be called to help. If the individual is unable to speak when raising
the alarm, the operator will still know who the caller is and raise the alarm immediately.
Why use SPAN?
There are many reasons why people call SPAN for example in a medical
emergency, when reliable help is needed in their home or as an aid to deter unwanted bogus callers.
SPAN can also help to improve personal safety. We work closely with
Surrey Police who support SPAN and recommend its use as a deterrent against break-ins. If you are suspicious
of unusual noises or by the presence of a stranger, simply press the pendant and let the operator contact
the Police.
How much will it cost me?
There is a small weekly charge of £4.30 (approximately £22.36 per month
(10 months only) or £55.90 per quarter), payable monthly or quarterly in advance. Payments are
made online, by direct debit or at the Post Office. We do not accept cash or cheques.
What do we ask from you?
In order to complete the application form you will need to provide us
with the following information:
whether you have a BT or Virgin telephone line
the type of property you live in (house/bungalow/flat etc)
brief details of any medical condition of which the Care Centre should be
aware (i.e. epilepsy, diabetes, breathing difficulties etc) so they can respond appropriately should
you need assistance
the name of your doctor
the name, address and telephone number of your next of kin
the names, addresses and telephone numbers (including any work or mobile phone
numbers) of those people who would hold keys to your property. We would also ask you to please confirm
the willingness of any key-holder to respond if you need assistance. Please make sure keys have been
given to your key-holders before we install the alarm.
We
require a minimum of two key-holders, or one if a KeySafe is fitted to your property and we are aware
of the combination. Please contact us for more information on KeySafes.
Please advise us if your SPAN alarm is to be used in conjunction with
answer phones, faxes, broadband or dial-up internet.
Upon installation of the alarm you will enter into an agreement with
the Council who will guarantee maintenance of the equipment.
A SPAN Technician will visit you annually to provide information and
advice and to also update any personal information we may hold on you. The alarm unit is specifically
designed to make a call to the call centre if a fault appears on the equipment, however the Technician
will double check your equipment when they visit you. As part of your service contract, we request that
you make a test call each month,
Contact SPAN
For
further information on SPAN or to arrange a free no obligation demonstration contact the SPAN office
on:
Address:
SPAN Spelthorne Borough Council Council Offices Knowle Green Staines TW18 1XB
NB. Please note that this page contains information which Spelthorne
Borough Council understands to be accurate, but which should not be taken as any part of any contract,
representation or warranty.
