Cashless payment system goes live in flexicare homes

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Finance

A biometric payment system has gone live in a number of flexicare homes for the over 55s - and is helping to provide residents with nutritious meals.

allpay's unique fingertip recognition system is being used to simplify life for North Hertfordshire Homes residents at four of its flexicare homes.  

Andrew Buchan, Head of Care and Supported Housing at North Hertfordshire Homes, explained: “We believe it is important for our residents to have access to high quality, nutritious meals particularly if preparing food for themselves has become onerous.  

"Whilst they can eat in their own flats, we believe that eating together provides valuable social interaction as well as playing a part in ensuring our residents are eating a healthy, balanced, diet.  The aim of introducing the biometric recognition system is to ensure that this process is as easy and worry-free as possible for both residents and staff.”

Once residents have been registered and set up an allpay account, they, or their relatives with Power of Attorney, can put money into their account via allpay’s internet or telephone services or through the allpay App.  They can also top up over the counter at any PayPoint outlet or Post Office.

“We believe this is a first for a Housing Association and it’s definitely a first for allpay, which offers a similar service to schools, but has adapted this system specifically for our needs,” added Mr Buchan. “We are delighted that the residents are so keen to adopt the cashless payment system and anticipate extending it to cover payment for other services we offer, such as day trips, in future.”

Martin Verspeak, Head of Cashless Services at allpay, said: “As the UK’s leading payments specialist we’ve had a great deal of experience working with public sector organisations over the past 15 years.  We develop and adapt our services to provide bespoke and end-to-end payment solutions to meet their specific needs.  The possibilities for cashless systems are endless and we are excited to be working with North Hertfordshire Homes to provide a solution that can cater to the needs of this sector.”

Pictured (left to right): Catherine Campbell, Group Manager, Caterplus; Victoria Hisgrove, Operations Manager, North Hertfordshire Homes (NHH); Betty Bartlett, resident at Temple Court; Kevin Thompson, Chief Executive, NHH; Ann Gilligan, resident of the NHH bungalows adjacent to Temple Court.