Technology Enabled Lives

The Technology Enabled Lives Framework allows public sector organisations to source and procure technology solutions to help individuals, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities, to live independently and safely in their own homes.

With the 2027 digital switchover just around the corner, the Technology Enabled Lives Framework, advised by TSA – the industry and advisory body for technology enabled care (TEC) – reflects the evolving nature of technology services. From purchasing, installing, maintaining, repairing and monitoring modernised care equipment, the framework supports housing associations, NHS services, local authorities and registered providers.

At NHC Procurement, we understand the importance of providing the right level of technology support to your residents who need it most. That’s why we assist you with technology procurement to ensure you partner with the best suppliers and build a long-lasting relationship for years to come.

What is the Technology Enabled Lives Framework?

The Technology Enabled Lives Framework is designed to standardise the sourcing and installation of smart home and medical tech with the goal of preventing avoidable harm, reducing hospitalisations, easing pressure on adult social care and ensuring seamless transitions from analogue equipment to modern digital infrastructure.

The framework has been informed by the TSA, which lobbies for the increased uptake of technology enabled care through digital solutions in the health and social care industries. By working together, we have accessed the best industry insight to support public sector organisations in procuring the right technology solutions for their residents.

The Digital Switchover 2027

By the end of January 2027, the UK telecommunications industry is retiring the analogue landline network and switching all landlines to digital Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology.

Services will be upgraded, and calls will be routed through broadband routers, offering a more reliable and resilient services in line with modern high-speed internet.

The switch to completely digital systems is likely to impact the elderly and individuals living with disabilities. The primary risks of not taking action on the digital switchover include:

• Disconnected safety alarms, like telecare and pendant alarms
• Loss of power during outages
• Lack of broadband access

Preparing in advance for the switchover is essential. The Technology Enabled Lives Framework is designed to ensure public sector organisations can procure the right technology support for their residents, occupants and other individuals affected by the switchover.

At NHC Procurement, we have care in the community at heart, and the impact of technology enabled lives has been a key measure of this framework.

Every person deserves to live a long and comfortable life at home, and the framework will contribute to this by ensuring trusted and compliant procurement practices. Our suppliers provide bespoke technology services to enhance the lives of your residents in their own home.

Our technology solutions

At NHC Procurement, we offer a range of solutions to support public sector organisations with the procurement process, including both framework solutions and dynamic solutions.

Given the increasing urgency of modernising existing care equipment and the need to meet government standards, it is critical to find the right solution for compliance, cost-effectiveness and peace of mind.

The Technology Enabled Lives Framework comprises four lots which cover all aspects of purchasing, installing, maintaining, repairing and monitoring new technology to ensure the comfort and safety of your residents in their home.

Lot 1: Product Catalogue

Under Lot 1, our suppliers can support you with purchasing new products and installing these purchased products into your residents’ homes.

This includes allowing customers to order single items or bulk amounts of goods without a lengthy tender process with core product categories including personal alarms, fall detectors, call centre equipment, connected assistive devices and telecare or telehealth equipment.

Lot 2: Installation

This lot focuses on the standalone installation of already purchased products, such as digital telecare, telehealth and telemedicine devices. It also covers the installation of control centres for these safety systems.

Equipment installed under this lot is fully digital and IP-ready, helping to future-proof your residents’ homes when legacy analogue networks begin to decline.

Lot 3: Maintenance and Repair

There are three sub-lots under the wider Lot 3: Maintenance and Repair which reflect the shift towards digital infrastructure.

Sub-lot 3.1 covers the maintenance of digital products only while sub-lot 3.2 focuses on maintaining legacy analogue telecare products. Sub-lot 3.3 Call Centre Monitoring Equipment Maintenance and Repair includes the maintenance of alarm response centres. Under these sub-lots, our suppliers cover the scheduled maintenance, planned service visits and reactive repairs for telecare, telehealth and other connected living equipment.

The priority of this sub-lot is to ensure the essential safety and independent living systems, like dispersed alarms and emergency lighting, remain fully operational to support vulnerable residents.

Lot 4: Call Monitoring and Mobile Response

This lot comprises three sub-lots: 4.1 Call Monitoring, 4.2 Mobile Response and 4.3 Call Monitoring and Mobile Response.

These sub-lots focus on the 24/7 call monitoring and physical mobile response services to support residents who are living independently while still needing some form of safety or healthcare technology support. This lot covers dispersed alarms, telecare devices and telehealth platforms to ensure immediate and appropriate responses to emergency situations, like calling the emergency services and notifying family members.

Benefits of this framework

The Technology Enabled Lives Framework is designed to align with the modernisation of health and care systems in the 2027 digital switchover which support independent living for elderly and disabled individuals. Our technology solutions can be tailored to ensure your residents’ healthcare needs are comfortably met in their own home.

At NHC Procurement, it’s our job to make sure you have all the technology services you need in one place so you can focus on the health and wellbeing of your residents. We will connect you with the right suppliers to ensure any specialist technology solutions you require are customised to enhance safety and comfort.

The benefits of this framework include:

• supporting what is becoming an increased priority for public sector organisations
• offering a straightforward, compliant route to market
• reflecting the evolving nature of technology
• ensuring the comfort, safety and security of individuals in their homes

How NHC Procurement’s technology services can help

Whether you’re a supplier or member of NHC Procurement, we are here to help you as you navigate technology procurement to support your residents and other occupants. We will direct you towards the most cost-effective solutions while you build long-lasting relationships to empower your organisation.

No matter if you’re looking for a partner to handle everything or provide only a little support, our team will guide you through every step of the way. Where a further competition is required to find you the most suitable supplier, we will provide you with the full suite of template documents and administer the competition exercise on your behalf.

In partnership with our trusted suppliers, we’ll provide reliable and efficient technology solutions to provide comfort to your residents in their own homes and enhance their safety and wellbeing. Our solutions can be aligned with your requirements while maintaining compliance with accessibility standards.

Contact us to see how we can support your organisation or complete our enquiry form to begin your journey to aligning with technology enabled care regulations and improving the lives of your residents.

Technology Enabled Lives Framework

What is the Technology Enabled Lives Framework?

The Technology Enabled Lives Framework is a procurement framework that helps public sector organisations source, install, maintain and monitor technology solutions that support independent living. It focuses on smart home, telecare, telehealth and assistive technologies designed to prevent avoidable harm, reduce hospital admissions, ease pressure on social care services and support the transition from analogue to digital infrastructure ahead of the UK’s 2027 digital switchover.

Why is the Technology Enabled Lives Framework important?

The framework is important because it helps public sector organisations prepare for the UK’s digital switchover while ensuring vulnerable residents continue to receive safe and reliable support. It promotes independent living for elderly and disabled individuals, provides a compliant route to market, reflects advances in technology enabled care, and helps maintain comfort, safety and security through modern technology solutions.

How can I ensure my organisation meets regulatory standards?

To meet regulatory standards, organisations should adopt trusted and compliant procurement practices, modernise care technology services in line with the digital switchover, and work with approved suppliers that provide compliant technology solutions. The framework supports this through regulated procurement routes, access to specialist suppliers, and solutions that align with accessibility requirements and technology enabled care regulations, helping organisations maintain compliance while improving resident outcomes.