It’s part of a project to update the estimated 7,100 systems in time for the analogue telephone system being switched off in the UK in 2025.

The majority of service users have had their systems updated in the Uddingston, Bothwell and Lanark areas

Work is now underway in the Larkhall and Stonehouse areas, with Cambuslang and Rutherglen to follow at the end of this month. Other council areas will follow in due course.

Councillor Margaret Walker, Chair of the council’s Social Work Resources Committee said: “Community alarm provision is so important for thousands of people across South Lanarkshire.

“I’m pleased that we are leading on these digital improvements and would like to thank the staff for their diligent work in supporting people across our communities.”

Soumen Sengupta, Director of Health and Social Care for South Lanarkshire said: “Digital technologies are enabling more and more people to continue to live safely in their own homes while providing reassurance to their loved ones and carers.

“Community alarms are a key and visible element of the ongoing digital transformation across our communities.

“Our staff are doing a tremendous job in taking forward these upgrades, and in keeping service users informed every step of the way.

“We will continue this work for the rest of this year and beyond to ensure this vital lifeline remains in place.”

Some telephone providers are already switching customers in South Lanarkshire to digital hubs. If your telephone provider attempts to do this it is important to make them aware you have a community alarm and ask them to delay your upgrade. You should also let the council know immediately so they can take steps to ensure your community alarm service is maintained.

You can contact the council by calling 0303 123 1008 and press 1 for Care at Home, then select the area you live in when prompted: press 1 for Clydesdale and Larkhall, press 2 for East Kilbride, Strathaven, press 3 for Hamilton, Blantyre and Bothwell and press 4 for Rutherglen and Cambuslang.

Analogue systems will no longer be sold by retailers from September 2023 in advance of the signal being turned off.

You can find out more about the process by visiting the Openreach website.