New DHSC telecare guidance highlights TSA’s technical resources and the Quality Standards Framework

0​8 October 2026

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has today published four new pieces of telecare guidance, with direct references to TSA’s Quality Standards Framework (QSF) and other technical resources. The publications support organisations managing the digital phone switchover and commissioning safe, resilient and reliable telecare services.

Four linked publications

Three digital telecare commissioning guidelines set out technical and service requirements for procuring:

• Personal alarm devices, supporting people living independently in the community.
• Grouped living alarm devices, including systems in sheltered and supported housing.
• Alarm receiving centre solutions, which receive and manage telecare alarm calls

A fourth publication, Telecare and the digital switchover: guidance for housing providers, addresses the practical risks facing organisations with analogue telecare. It also directs housing providers to the three commissioning guidelines when procuring replacement services.

Housing guidance highlights TSA's practical support

The housing guidance underlines the urgency of the analogue-to-digital transition. Research commissioned by DHSC, based on a sample of alarm receiving centres, suggests that around three-quarters of grouped living scheme alarms were still analogue in winter 2025 to 2026 and May to June 2026.

Significantly, DHSC links directly to TSA’s resource,Interim solutions and the Analogue to Digital Transition in Grouped Living Environments/Schemes. It also acknowledges TSA’s position that fully digital alarms are the preferred approach.

TSA’s supplier-neutral resource helps housing organisations assess interim technical options, understand risks across the full communications pathway, and consider the testing, monitoring and operational controls needed while they plan longer-term migration.

The DHSC publication also points to TSA’s interoperability matrix and references work with TSA to encourage data sharing. These practical measures help providers understand equipment compatibility, identify people who may be at risk and plan safe upgrades. Interim measures still require thorough risk assessment and ongoing testing; they are not a substitute for a fully digital long-term solution.

Commissioning guidance recognises the role of the Quality Standards Framework

All three commissioning guidelines explicitly names the Quality Standards Framework (QSF) as an example of an existing assurance scheme commissioners can draw upon as part of their procurement and assurance arrangements.

The QSF is delivered through TSA’s UKAS-accredited assurance partner, TEC Quality. It assesses organisations against service quality and operational requirements, including safety, governance, business continuity and continuous improvement.

The new guidelines complement existing assurance schemes by addressing technical standards, interoperability, connectivity, resilience, cyber security and performance data. This is an important distinction: DHSC references the QSF as an established assurance framework.

A shared focus on safe and reliable services

Together, the publications reinforce priorities central to TSA’s 2026–2030 Business Plan: safe digital transition, interoperable systems, strong governance and consistent quality. Reliable digital services also provide a foundation for the wider move towards more proactive and preventative technology enabled care.

TSA will continue working with members, government and partners to support housing providers and commissioners, share practical guidance and promote the standards needed to protect people who rely on telecare.

Read the DHSC publications

Commissioning:Personal alarms|Grouped living alarms|Alarm receiving centres

Housing:Telecare and the digital switchover: guidance for housing providers

Related resources:Interim-solutions guidance|TEC Quality|Interoperability matrix|TSA 2026–2030 Business Plan