01.10.15
NHS and fire services to sign ‘consensus’ to integrate home visit services
Health bodies, fire and rescue services and local authorities are set to sign a new ‘consensus’ today (1 October) promising to make workforce changes in order to integrate their services.
Five organisations, including NHS England, Public Health England (PHE), the Chief Fire Officers Association on behalf of fire services, Age UK and the Local Government Association (LGA) will agree to details on how they can work together to encourage local action to prevent or minimise service demand.
The idea, which was first pitched in August, will see firefighters nationwide aiming to extend the existing 670,000 home safety checks carried out annually into a ‘safe and well’ visit, aimed particularly at the elderly and most vulnerable.
This should both reduce the risk of fire and help reduce health risks, such as falls, loneliness and isolation – which, in turn, will alleviate pressure on A&E and mental health services.
The deal is being signed on the national Older People’s Day at a World Health Organisation conference.
NHS England chief executive, Simon Stevens, said: “Fire service home visits already prevent fires, and now will help prevent falls, accidents and trips to casualty. It’s great to see two of the most trusted public services getting creative about jointly supporting vulnerable people to stay healthy and independent.”
And Dr Martin McShane, NHS England’s director for long-term conditions, said the integration is “transiting the Five Year Forward View into reality”.
He added: “The fire service has reduced domestic fires by 35% with pro-active interventions. Working together will help us to provide a good deal for the taxpayer and an event better deal for people at risk.”
Part of the changes will include firefighters installing handrails, noticing and changing fall hazard such as loose rugs and piled up paper, or signpost people to their local groups for further help.
It is based on evidence showing that a high percentage of people will allow a firefighter into their home due to high levels of trust, and the measure is already being carried out in some regions ahead of the consensus.
In Manchester, for example, firefighters already work with community response intervention teams who provide a “rapid response” to keep people from visiting hospitals and speeding up discharges.
Duncan Selbie, chief executive of PHE, said: “Saving peoples’ lives is the most important thing for firefighters. They have already had astonishing success in reducing deaths from fires and can now bring this experience to bear more widely.
“This agreement will help ensure older people, and those with complex needs, get the care and support they need to live healthier, more independent lives.”
Cllr Jeremy Hilton, LGA’s fire services management committee chair, added that fire services could “just as effectively” improve public health by providing the critical interventions they already provide in fire emergencies, as well as promoting health messages and referring residents to appropriate services.
NHS England and Age UK also re-launched a ‘practical guide to healthy ageing’ today, currently being distributed throughout FRS home visits, GP practices, pharmacies, housing associations and Age UK shops.
Pam Creaven, services director at Age UK, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the consensus and believe that local Age UKs and fire services working together can really make a different, helping older people stay healthy and independent in their own home.”
(Top image c. Andrew HA, London Fire Brigade)