The rapid response falls service which has been operating in Bath and North East Somerset since 2017 will finish at the end of March.
The rapid response car used in Bath | Photo © Bath Specialist Falls Response Team
Health and care services in B&NES came together to pilot the specialist service for people over the age of 65 years who fall over at home.
The main purpose is to support people’s independence and reduce the risk of them falling over again. It operates seven days a week, between 8am and 6pm.
But last November it emerged that there would be no re-tendering of the service as an alternative model to adopt a consistent falls approach across the region was being investigated.
This week a spokesperson for Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board and the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) told us: “The Bath and North East Somerset Falls Car Pilot has now concluded, and we would like to thank both current and former SWASFT and Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist Falls team members for their unwavering commitment, collaboration, and dedication to our patients whilst delivering the service.
Launching the specialist falls service in 2017 | Photo © SWAST
“From 1st April, we will implement changes to optimise care by introducing a consistent service across the Bath, North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire area, aiming to maintain, and enhance the service to older adults who have experienced falls.
“The replacement service will be co-ordinated by the Care Co-Ordination Hub in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire area that brings together multi-disciplinary teams, including ambulance service clinicians, senior clinicians such as GPs and Advanced Clinical Practitioners and health and social care professionals.
“The primary goal of the hub is to provide real-time access for patients to health and urgent care services within the community or secondary care.
“The hub will also allow ambulance clinicians who attend a fallen patient to direct them to onward community and therapy support when they are discharged on scene.
“People who have fallen and require emergency care should continue to call 999, to ensure the most appropriate help can be arranged for them.”
