Chesterfield Borough Council is asking local people to share their views on the future of its telecare service.
Service users, their families and carers, along with residents and local partner organisations, are being invited to have their say in a public consultation about the future of the Careline service, which runs until 22 April 2026.
Chesterfield Borough Council took over the funding for the service in April 2024 after Derbyshire County Council withdrew its support for 24/7 falls provision. The council took this decision on the basis that the service would cover its own running costs – and not add any further strain to the council’s budget position.
However, despite the commitment of staff, careful financial management, and ongoing efforts to reduce costs and increase income, Careline has not been able to secure the customer volumes required for financial sustainability – and the council is now consulting on sustainable options for future service delivery.
As part of this review, three potential options are being explored:
- Increasing charges so the service can cover its running costs
- Finding a new way of delivering the service, potentially with partners or through a different model
- Closing the service, with tailored support to help people move safely to another provider
Councillor Gavin Baldauf-Good, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for customers and business transformation, said: “Telecare services like Careline provide really valuable support to those who need it and our top priority remains to protect the wellbeing of these people, and to make sure they continue to receive the support they need.
“Unfortunately, despite our best efforts the financial implications of maintaining the Careline service are increasingly challenging, with the current cost of service delivery significantly exceeding the income it raises.
“We now have a responsibility to consider options for the future, to ensure customers get the service they need, and that under-pressure council budgets are spent in a way which provides the best value for the borough’s residents as a whole.
“The purpose of the consultation is to listen carefully to the people who use the service, their families, staff, and partners, and to understand the impact of each option before any final decision is taken.
“We want to reassure people that no matter what the outcome of this consultation, protecting the wellbeing of vulnerable residents remains our priority.”
As part of the consultation process, existing customers or their family members will be contacted directly by a member of the Careline team to discuss how the proposals might impact them.
People can also take part in the consultation online or by requesting a paper form.
More information on the consultation.
Drop‑in sessions will be held at Chesterfield Town Hall on Friday 20 March and Tuesday 31 March, between 10am and 3pm, for anyone who would like to learn more about the proposals and speak to council officers in person.
