‘Digital Switch’: briefing for chief executives

You may be aware that the national telephony network is undergoing a change process broadly known as the ‘Digital Switch’ and will continue to be rolled out nationally over the next few years and completed by 2025. This process is replacing the former analogue telephone system with a modern IP based digital network.

Whilst this work is a communications industry led process, the potential impacts beyond telephony and broadband services are significant and possibly impactful on the services that local authorities commission, deliver and refer to. This letter is specifically concerning Telecare, Care Technology or Telehealth Care services.

Work is being undertaken nationally through Dept Culture Media and Sport, NHS Transformation Directorate, the TSA (Telehealthcare industry body) and the LGA ADASS network to work with communications providers and regulatory bodies to understand the broad impacts of these changes and put in place advice and support to mitigate the challenges that will arise from such a significant change in infrastructure services.  While this work is not the responsibility of local authorities, it will be actions undertaken locally that will be critical to minimising any adverse effects of these changes and indeed laying the foundations to maximise the potential benefits that a digital infrastructure will bring to the social care landscape.

As the LGA Digital Switch Working Group we want to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of chief executive awareness and leadership in this process and to point to some key activities that should be undertaken now to mitigate any adverse impacts on people alongside any financial draw on social care budgets.  The landscape of telehealthcare delivery is complex, with significant numbers of agencies involved in and responsible for elements of services.

We are asking that local authorities prepare for these changes by ensuring they have:

1. A very clear view of who receives services commissioned or delivered via local arrangements and who may be impacted by changes.
2. Taken time to understand the implications of the impact of the digital switch on services.
3. Are in contact with, at the very least, the TSA and the main infrastructure providers (Openreach and Virgin as a minimum).
4. Are in communication with their service provider and asking what testing of existing telehealthcare equipment has taken place and what this means for service delivery, including plans to manage the impact of this switch.
5. That Commissioners or service delivery teams are familiar with the recent NHS TD Digital Switch Action Plan and guidance material from the TSA.
6. That local risk assessments are underway to assess the impact on people, to assist planning for the switch and maximising the future opportunity that digital platforms will bring and to understand what the financial impact of this process may be for your authority.

Whilst many agencies are working to develop guidance and support for service providers and local authorities there remains a lack of clarity in some areas.  The timing of any local switch may happen at any point between now and 2025, there are 650 different Communication Providers nationally so ‘on the day’ processes may vary and accurately identifying people for the Communication providers remains challenging and incomplete.  It is, therefore, vitally important that local authorities with a telecare responsibility engage fully with the switch process to minimise potential adverse impacts.

Complete our survey

Self-assess your readiness

Local authorities can access the LGA digital switchover toolkit for commissioners to self-assess their readiness and for further information and resources regarding the digital switchover.