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Screening, Monitoring & Telecare

Tunstall

Tunstall specialises in technology-enabled care services, offering monitoring and telecare solutions to support independent living and improve care delivery.

Overview

Headquarters: Doncaster, United Kingdom
Categories: Screening, Monitoring & Telecare
Core Product Suite: Tunstall Healthcare (technology‑enabled care services, monitoring, and telecare solutions)

Introduction

Tunstall Healthcare is one of the world’s leading providers of technology‑enabled care (TEC) services, specialising in monitoring, telecare, and telehealth solutions that support independent living, improve care delivery, and reduce pressure on health and social care systems.

Founded in 1957, Tunstall has grown from a small UK‑based alarm company into a global leader in connected care, with operations in over 15 countries and millions of users worldwide. Its solutions are designed to help older adults, people with long‑term conditions, and vulnerable individuals live safely and independently in their own homes, while giving carers and professionals real‑time insights to deliver proactive, person‑centred care.

Tunstall’s mission is to “empower people to live life to the fullest potential” by combining innovative technology with responsive monitoring services. Its portfolio spans telecare alarms, fall detection, telehealth monitoring, lone worker protection, and digital call handling platforms, making it a cornerstone of the UK’s and Europe’s digital care infrastructure.

User Feedback: Strengths and Weaknesses

Feedback for Tunstall comes from local authority case studies, NHS Trusts, housing associations, and sector reviews. Overall, sentiment is positive, though some caveats are noted.

Positive Feedback

  • Trusted brand
    With over 65 years in the sector, Tunstall is widely recognised as a trusted and reliable provider of telecare and monitoring solutions.

  • Comprehensive coverage
    Providers highlight the breadth of Tunstall’s solutions, from pendant alarms and fall detectors to advanced telehealth monitoring and digital call handling.

  • 24/7 monitoring
    Tunstall Response, its dedicated monitoring centre, is praised for providing round‑the‑clock reassurance to over 80,000 service users, handling more than 2 million calls annually.

  • Scalability
    Local authorities and housing associations value Tunstall’s ability to support large populations, with proven infrastructure for scaling services.

  • Proactive care
    Case studies highlight the benefits of proactive calling campaigns (e.g., loneliness checks, medication reminders), which improve wellbeing and reduce hospital admissions.

  • Integration with housing and health systems
    Tunstall’s solutions are widely used in sheltered housing, supported living, and community care, with proven interoperability.

  • Customer support
    Many providers describe Tunstall as collaborative, with strong training and implementation support.

Negative Feedback and Caveats

  • Legacy systems
    Some providers note that Tunstall’s older analogue systems are being phased out, requiring investment in digital upgrades.

  • Cost considerations
    Smaller providers and councils highlight that while Tunstall delivers strong value, upfront investment in infrastructure can be significant.

  • Innovation pace
    A minority of reviews suggest that Tunstall has been slower to innovate compared to newer entrants, though its Service Platform is addressing this.

  • Integration challenges
    While Tunstall integrates with many systems, some users report challenges connecting with NHS digital platforms or third‑party apps.

  • Customer service variability
    Feedback on customer service is mixed, with some praising responsiveness and others citing delays in resolving technical issues.

In summary, user sentiment is strongly positive around trust, scalability, and monitoring, while challenges include legacy upgrades, cost, and integration.

Products and Capabilities

Tunstall Service Platform (TSP)

  • Cloud‑based, modular platform for telecare and telehealth delivery

  • Covers call and alarm handling, service provisioning, job scheduling, and proactive services

  • Scalable and interoperable with third‑party systems via APIs

  • Enables proactive campaigns (e.g., loneliness checks, public health monitoring)

Tunstall Response (Monitoring Services)

  • 24/7 monitoring centre accredited by the TEC Services Association (TSA)

  • Supports over 170 local authorities, housing associations, and charities

  • Handles 5,500+ calls per day, safeguarding 80,000+ connections

  • Services include telecare monitoring, telehealth triage, lone worker monitoring, and reassurance calls

Telecare Devices

  • Pendant alarms and fall detectors

  • Smoke, flood, and gas detectors linked to monitoring centres

  • Bed occupancy and movement sensors

  • GPS‑enabled devices for people with dementia or at risk of wandering

Telehealth Solutions

  • Remote monitoring of long‑term conditions (e.g., COPD, diabetes, heart failure)

  • Vital signs monitoring devices linked to clinical dashboards

  • Supports early intervention and reduces hospital admissions

Lone Worker Protection

  • Mobile apps and devices for lone workers in health and social care

  • GPS tracking, panic alarms, and escalation protocols

  • Protects staff working in the community

Digital Call Handling (PNC IP)

  • Industry‑leading monitoring centre software

  • Used by Tunstall Response and third‑party monitoring centres worldwide

  • Supports digital transition from analogue to IP telephony

Interoperability and Standards

Tunstall is designed as a secure, interoperable platform, with:

  • GDPR compliance: Encryption, secure hosting, and audit trails

  • TSA Quality Standards Framework (QSF) accreditation

  • ISO certifications: Quality and information security

  • APIs: For integration with third‑party systems

  • Cloud and on‑premise options: Flexible deployment models

Market Position

Tunstall operates globally, with a strong presence in the UK and Europe. It serves:

  • Local authorities and councils

  • Housing associations and sheltered housing providers

  • Residential and nursing homes

  • Supported living services

  • NHS Trusts and community health providers

  • Charities and voluntary organisations

It differentiates itself through:

  • Scale and trust: Over 65 years of experience and millions of users worldwide

  • Comprehensive coverage: Telecare, telehealth, monitoring, and lone worker protection

  • Accreditation: TSA QSF and ISO certifications

  • Proactive care: Moving from reactive alarms to proactive wellbeing monitoring

  • Global reach: Operations in 15+ countries

Competitors include Sensio, Tunstall’s long‑time rival Tynetec (Legrand Care), and newer entrants such as Ally Labs. Tunstall positions itself as the trusted, large‑scale provider, particularly attractive to councils, housing associations, and large care groups.

Implementation and Support

Tunstall emphasises a structured onboarding process, with:

  • Site assessments and infrastructure planning

  • Installation of telecare devices and monitoring systems

  • Staff training and ongoing support

  • Dedicated account managers

  • Regular updates and webinars

Providers report smooth implementation, though some note that legacy system upgrades require careful planning.

Security and Data Protection

Tunstall prioritises data security, with:

  • GDPR compliance

  • ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certification

  • Encryption and secure hosting

  • Role‑based access controls

  • Audit trails and accountability logs

  • Disaster recovery and business continuity protocols

Conclusion

Tunstall Healthcare is a global leader in technology‑enabled care services, offering a comprehensive suite of telecare, telehealth, and monitoring solutions that support independent living and improve care delivery. Its strength lies in its scale, trust, and comprehensive coverage, making it a cornerstone of the UK’s digital care infrastructure.

User feedback consistently highlights trust, scalability, and monitoring excellence, while challenges include legacy upgrades, cost, and integration.

For councils, housing associations, and care providers seeking a trusted, large‑scale partner for telecare and monitoring, Tunstall represents a credible and established option. Its emphasis on proactive care, interoperability, and global reach positions it as a key player in the future of digital social care.

References

  1. Tunstall – Service Platform Overview https://www.tunstall.co.uk/our-solutions/connected-services/tunstall-service-platform/

  2. Tunstall – Monitoring & Response Services https://www.tunstall.com/our-solutions/connected-services/monitoringandresponse-services/

  3. Tunstall – Telecare Monitoring & Response Solutions https://www.tunstall.co.uk/our-solutions/connected-services/monitoring-and-response/

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