New DHSC guidance highlights urgency of digital telecare migration

New DHSC guidance highlights urgency of digital telecare migration

Oct 20, 2026 • 2 min read

With the analogue telecare switch-off deadline of 31 January 2027 approaching, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published a suite of new resources to support organisations involved in telecare commissioning, procurement and service delivery. The guidance has been developed to help the adult social care sector transition safely from analogue to digital telecare services while maintaining reliable support for those who depend on them.

The new publications include commissioning guidelines for:

•    Personal alarm devices
•    Grouped living alarm devices
•    Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) solutions

Alongside these, DHSC has published dedicated guidance for housing providers on managing the digital phone switchover and the risks associated with analogue telecare systems.

A key message from the guidance is clear:

"If these systems are not upgraded, telecare services may become unreliable or stop working when phone lines are migrated, potentially putting residents who rely on telecare at risk."

This is about more than replacing alarm units

Housing providers need to understand how telecare connects with wider systems, including fire alarms, door-entry systems and other technologies that may be impacted by digital migration. The guidance recommends identifying all telecare equipment in use, assessing digital compatibility and allowing sufficient time for testing.

Why early planning matters

As the deadline draws closer, organisations that have not yet finalised their migration plans should act now. Digital migration projects often involve equipment reviews, compatibility assessments, testing, resident communications and operational planning.

At Taking Care, we've already worked with many housing providers and telecare organisations to support their digital transition. The majority of our corporate customers are well advanced in their migration planning, helping them manage risk and maintain service continuity ahead of the deadline.

To support customers, we developed our Digital Charter, which promotes early engagement, collaboration and clear planning. By working together at an early stage, organisations can help ensure a smoother transition and avoid unnecessary disruption for residents and service users.

Join the DHSC Webinar - 22 October 2026

For organisations looking to understand the new guidance in more detail, DHSC is hosting a webinar on 22 October 2026 at 11:00am, featuring speakers from DHSC, FarrPoint and the Local Government Association. Find details here.

Planning for the January 2027 Deadline? Let’s start the conversation

If your organisation is reviewing its digital migration plans, assessing telecare systems or preparing for the analogue switch-off deadline, our Business Development team can help. From understanding the latest DHSC guidance to developing a practical migration roadmap, we're supporting organisations across the sector to deliver safe, resilient digital telecare services.

Contact our Business Development team to discuss your plans and explore how Taking Care can support your transition.

Sarah O'Callaghan

Written by Sarah O'Callaghan, Head of Business Development

Written: 20/10/2026
Last updated: 20/10/2026

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