The switchover to digital television in Copeland last year worked smoothly, although there are concerns that it will be difficult to replicate the resources put into informing the public when the wider nationwide switchover begins next year. That's according to 'Switched On', a report produced by Cumbria County Council's adult social care scrutiny panel.
The scrutiny report says Whitehaven's transformation into the UK's first 'digital town' was a successful one: "The switchover in Copeland went extremely smoothly and the majority of people who required help and support were able to access this either via the help scheme (if they were eligible), via Age Concern North West or via the help centre set up within Whitehaven town centre.
"The task group does have some concerns that the level of publicity and support committed to Copeland would be hard to replicate; firstly due to the small geographical size and population of this area, and secondly due to the fact that Copeland was the first area in the UK to be switched over," according to the report.
At a meeting of Cumbria County Council's cabinet today, a series of recommendations laid out in the report were examined and responded to. These include:
- That engineers carrying out work on behalf of the digital switchover help scheme have a Criminal Records Bureau enhanced disclosure check.
Cabinet response: Professional HR advice suggests this is not necessary as the service does not meet the definition of a person who "regularly cares for, trains, supervises or is in sole charge of vulnerable adults". Instead a risk assessment should be carried out for the different categories of accommodation the engineers would be entering.
- That the procedure to register as blind or partially sighted in order to qualify for the help scheme is looked at and amended so that individuals are not subjected to long waiting times for what could be a purely administrative task either by the health service or adult social care.
Cabinet response: The procedure for registration for blind and partially sighted people is being reviewed in adult social care. In parts of Cumbria, people are offered the opportunity to be registered immediately after they have seen an opthomologist and at the same time given access to information, advice and equipment. This model of provision will be reviewed for potential roll out across Cumbria.
- That trading standards and Consumer Direct continue to alert the public via regular news releases of issues relating to bogus callers and appropriate selling of equipment.
Cabinet response: This will be done.
- That an article is prepared for the Winter edition of `Your Cumbria’ magazine to notify households within Cumbria of the timescale for the switchover, what they need to do (with emphasis on the need not to buy new televisions), how to protect themselves as consumers, and details of the digital switchover help scheme.
Cabinet response: This will be done.
- That consideration be given to inviting tenders for converting county council establishments to receive a digital television reception. This should only apply to buildings which have several televisions, for example, Cumbria Care residential homes and children’s homes.
Cabinet response: We are working to progress this recommendation, ensuring efficiencies are made in council homes where there is more than one television. The expertise of staff who have been involved in the Copeland switchover will be fully utilised.
Cllr Brian Barton, vice chair of the adult social care scrutiny panel and member of the scrutiny task group which produced the report, said:
"Border will be the first full region to switch over to digital television next year, so it's important that we learn any lessons from the switchover in Copeland. Anecdotally, Copeland went very well and there seems to be hardly any people who were taken by surprise when the analogue signal was switched off in November last year.
"It was apparent that not everyone who was eligible for the help scheme opted to use that help - and that may be because some perceived the £40 fee for using the help scheme as more expensive than just buying a digibox yourself. But it should be stressed that the £40 fee for using the help scheme also includes any costs associated with upgrading your aerial and connections, so is very good value.
"When the digital switchover rolls out nationally, the help scheme will be an invaluable resource for those who need it most. It has to be robust, user-friendly and responsive."
End
Notes
More information on eligibility for the digital switchover help scheme can be found at http://www.helpscheme.co.uk/en/home/index.php (external link) or by ringing 0800 408 5900.
Please note: Cumbria County Council's media team telephone numbers have now changed.
Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 226332
Follow this link to view a copy of the scrutiny report