Emergency alarm service to be cut for sheltered housing

Christine said she would have to pay for the pull cord emergency response service

Elderly and vulnerable people living in sheltered housing have been told funding for their emergency alarm system is due to be cut.

Residents will have to pay if they want to use the service, which is run by private operators on behalf of Norfolk County Council.

Christine, who has fallen before, said she had no choice but to pay as "losing it terrifies me".

The council said it was no longer obliged to fund the service.

Bill Borrett, chairman of adult social care, said it would stop funding from February. He said the pull cord alarm was the responsibility of district councils and housing associations.

"They receive funding for their responsibilities, including a grant from the government of £6m for Norfolk's district councils to help make adaptations to homes," he said.

North Walsham councillor Peter Edge was contacted by residents of Victory Housing after they received a letter advising the alarm cords would be removed.

Residents were told cords could be re-installed for £80 plus a weekly charge of £1.50.

"Half of these can't afford it," Mr Edge said. "They've already taken the wardens away. Nothing will happen until someone drops dead and we find them three days later."

Another Victory Housing resident, Hans, who has had a stroke, said: "It's an insult. I pay my rent, £28 a week and they're charging me £38 a month for a cord."

But Victory said it has never met the cost of the cord provision.

"As landlord, Victory is working hard to support our residents who are facing the withdrawal of their service, which is independently provided by Centra Support, with funding from Norfolk County Council."

Centra said it would cease providing the service from the end of February after being told by the county council that its contract was being terminated due to funding cuts.

Norwich City Council sent out similar letters saying it was considering asking sheltered housing tenants to pay an extra £22.91 per month for the alarm service.