MORE patients are being treated at home rather than in hospital, thanks to a new South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) initiative.

Hundreds of Community First Responders across the region are now responding to 999 calls in which patients have fallen, not injured themselves, but are unable to get up.

With the use of a Raizer emergency lifting chair and supported by clinicians, responders can move patients from the floor to a sitting or standing position.

The initiative aims to ensure that the most appropriate resources are allocated to emergency incidents, enabling ambulances to be sent to patients who have the highest clinical need.

Now the scheme has been shortlisted for the Care of Older People accolade at the Patient Safety Awards 2018.

SWASFT Acting Responder Manager, Rich Buckley, said: “This initiative enables our responders to further support their communities in a robust and safe way.

“With clinical support from our 999 Hubs, patients can be safely assessed and lifted from the floor in a more timely manner. Patients will receive care in their own home by a trained responder who has the equipment and expertise to provide the help they need."

He said volunteers gave their time freely and without them 'this fantastic scheme wouldn't work'.

According to clinical research, one in three people over the age of 65 who live at home fall during a 12-month period.

Non-injury falls patients had faced lengthy waits for an ambulance, because their call was not high priority.

The new concept was developed in 2017 as a way to attend and assess these patients more quickly, using the skills and experience of CFRs.

The process is supported by clinicians in the 999 Control Hub, who are authorised to discharge the patient on scene after discussion with the Responder.

Nigel Toms, an experienced CFR, tested the idea by attending a selected number of appropriate incidents with a lifting device. He was able to manage the vast majority of the calls effectively, without needing any additional crew.

During a six-month trial involving more than 300 incidents, around three in four patients were successfully treated at home without the need for an ambulance to attend.

More than 60 CFR groups in the South West are now participating in the scheme.