Telecare saves lives in Burry Port
The lives of a Burry Port couple have been saved - twice - thanks to the council’s Telecare service.
William and Nellie Lamb, who now live at the town’s Tan-y-Bryn sheltered housing scheme, are grateful to be alive to tell the tale of how a carbon monoxide alarm, fitted as part of a Telecare package, saved them from being poisoned on two separate occasions.
“We’re very lucky to be alive,” said Mr Lamb, aged 90. “The service is marvellous, and we want to thank everyone, from our social worker to the man who came to fit it.”
Mr and Mrs Lamb’s daughter, Elizabeth Clarke, came to know about the Telecare service after contacting Carmarthenshire County Council for advice on various care options for her parents, who were then living in a chalet at Burry Port’s Shoreline Caravan Park.
One of the services offered was Telecare, where discreet alarm sensors are fitted around the home, which are linked to a 24-hour response team.
A package was installed in summer 2010, and in October the alarms were triggered for the first time.
“We were both sitting at home one afternoon and we both started to feel very sleepy,” said Mr Lamb. “I thought it was because I’d been up so early that morning, but then I saw a light on our alarm flashing. Next thing I heard a woman’s voice asking if we were okay, and asking me to check if I’d left any gas on and to open the doors and windows.”
The operator who spoke to Mr Lamb is part of the council’s 24/7 Careline emergency response team. As well as speaking directly to service users over a two-way telecom system, they are also able to alert emergency services and up to three emergency contacts.
Unfortunately, the couple suffered another similar incident a month later, shortly before they made the move to sheltered accommodation.
Mrs Clarke added: “It was very frightening - when I had the call and arrived at their house the smell of gas knocked me back. If the alarms hadn’t gone off they would have just gone to sleep, and probably would never have woken up.
“Telecare has almost certainly saved my mother and father’s lives, and we just want to be able to say thank you. Nothing has been too much trouble for the whole team, and we are just so impressed with the service.”
Cllr Kevin Madge, customer care and older people’s champion, said: “It was lovely to meet Mr and Mrs Lamb and to hear that they’re safe and well. I’m glad that they have found this service so helpful – as have many other people in a similar position.
“It is so encouraging to know that the services we provide are making a difference to families all over Carmarthenshire. I hope this story will encourage others to come forward and find out more about Telecare and Careline.”
• For further information about Telecare and Careline, visit the council’s website www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk, or call 01267 234567.
William and Nellie Lamb, who now live at the town’s Tan-y-Bryn sheltered housing scheme, are grateful to be alive to tell the tale of how a carbon monoxide alarm, fitted as part of a Telecare package, saved them from being poisoned on two separate occasions.
“We’re very lucky to be alive,” said Mr Lamb, aged 90. “The service is marvellous, and we want to thank everyone, from our social worker to the man who came to fit it.”
Mr and Mrs Lamb’s daughter, Elizabeth Clarke, came to know about the Telecare service after contacting Carmarthenshire County Council for advice on various care options for her parents, who were then living in a chalet at Burry Port’s Shoreline Caravan Park.
One of the services offered was Telecare, where discreet alarm sensors are fitted around the home, which are linked to a 24-hour response team.
A package was installed in summer 2010, and in October the alarms were triggered for the first time.
“We were both sitting at home one afternoon and we both started to feel very sleepy,” said Mr Lamb. “I thought it was because I’d been up so early that morning, but then I saw a light on our alarm flashing. Next thing I heard a woman’s voice asking if we were okay, and asking me to check if I’d left any gas on and to open the doors and windows.”
The operator who spoke to Mr Lamb is part of the council’s 24/7 Careline emergency response team. As well as speaking directly to service users over a two-way telecom system, they are also able to alert emergency services and up to three emergency contacts.
Unfortunately, the couple suffered another similar incident a month later, shortly before they made the move to sheltered accommodation.
Mrs Clarke added: “It was very frightening - when I had the call and arrived at their house the smell of gas knocked me back. If the alarms hadn’t gone off they would have just gone to sleep, and probably would never have woken up.
“Telecare has almost certainly saved my mother and father’s lives, and we just want to be able to say thank you. Nothing has been too much trouble for the whole team, and we are just so impressed with the service.”
Cllr Kevin Madge, customer care and older people’s champion, said: “It was lovely to meet Mr and Mrs Lamb and to hear that they’re safe and well. I’m glad that they have found this service so helpful – as have many other people in a similar position.
“It is so encouraging to know that the services we provide are making a difference to families all over Carmarthenshire. I hope this story will encourage others to come forward and find out more about Telecare and Careline.”
• For further information about Telecare and Careline, visit the council’s website www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk, or call 01267 234567.
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