A personal alarm service for the vulnerable, provided by a Kings Hill-based company, has seen a surge in demand during the pandemic.

The alarm is being used by family members unable to visit relatives during the lockdown and can raise the alarm, around the clock, at the press of a button.

It is provided by Centra Pulse and Connect.

Centra, part of Doro Group, is one of the leading providers of telecare in the UK, helping to support over 200,000 people. It has provided the telecare contract to 7,000 people on behalf of Kent County Council since 2015.

Mark Hogan, independent living support services manager at Kent County Council, said: “Centra provides a critical lifeline to many people currently self-isolating or shielding. If people are anxious, fall at home or have an epilepsy incident they can talk to someone immediately to obtain assistance or access to emergency services.

"Centra has very successfully implemented their business continuity arrangements to ensure staff can work from home whilst still ensuring they provide a responsive service and continue to proactively seek new ways to support the wider community, alongside statutory services, during the current crisis”.

Rachel Kennerley, Doro regional manager added: “Our field-based teams in Kent have done an amazing job during the pandemic. The feedback from clients has been wonderful, they are so grateful that the teams are still able to support them, while taking additional safety precautions."

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