Project Overview

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the local council for the Western Isles, has become the first council to implement the latest digital-enabled Cloud Care Control by Chubb. This move follows the announcement of a new framework agreement between Chubb and the Scottish Government’s Digital Office for Local Government in November 2023. The Cloud Care Control platform provides a critical remote personal care alarm monitoring service, ensuring the safety of vulnerable individuals across the Western Isles.

Customer Needs

Established in 2016, the Scottish Digital Office plays a pivotal role in driving digital transformation across Scotland’s local authorities, enhancing service delivery and efficiency. In November 2023, a cyberattack on Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s system accelerated the need for an upgraded alarm monitoring platform to protect the community’s most vulnerable members.

Faced with this challenge, Chubb acted swiftly to implement the Cloud Care Control platform, ensuring a secure connection between the council’s shared Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) and those in need of critical care.

Solution and Benefits

Cloud Care Control is a versatile, cloud-based platform designed to handle both digital and analogue alarms through Internet of Things (IoT) communication. It leverages cutting-edge Software as a Service (SaaS) technology and Next Generation Network (NGN) infrastructure to provide fast and efficient remote monitoring of personal alarms, ensuring help is available when it’s needed most. In response to the time-sensitive nature of the project following the cyberattack, Chubb completed the installation in just five weeks, with the platform going live in December 2023. This quick turnaround was made possible by the dedication of the Councils telecare team, supported by Chubb’s project delivery team and resources from the Digital Office, ensuring a seamless transition to the new system for just under 1,000 users.

The platform’s key features include instant alarm routing, real-time monitoring, and comprehensive AI tracking that follows each alert from initiation to resolution. This enables faster response times and greater oversight for the care of vulnerable individuals.

Seamless Integration and Innovation

Cloud Care Control is built to integrate easily with both digital and analogue technologies from various manufacturers. Whether it’s pendants, wearable devices, or even voice-activated systems like Amazon Alexa, the platform supports a range of technologies, enhancing user interactions with video capabilities for face-to-face communication between service users and responders.

One of the standout features is the integration with Amazon Alexa, allowing users to request help through voice commands. This functionality not only supports emergency responses but also combats isolation and loneliness by enabling users to communicate with other individuals through the smart speaker.

For those needing assistance outside their homes, Cloud Care Control’s GPS tracking ensures responders can pinpoint their location quickly and accurately, providing peace of mind for users and their families.

Testimonial

The Shared ARC Programme has been instrumental in the Western Isles Telecare service successful transition from analogue to digital. The Western Isles were first to adopt the Shared ARC Platform, and this would not have been possible without the support, knowledge and expertise of the team who helped navigate unchartered waters. The Shared ARC model is a great example of a national approach to public sector collaboration that delivered an innovative solution that can be adopted by multiple healthcare providers.

Malcolm Macpherson, Customer Services Manager, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar