Falls response in county

Help after a fall
A new “falls response” pilot project has now been rolled out across the whole county.
Falls are one of the most common reasons for ambulance call-outs – particularly in winter. However, the emergency services are often under huge pressure during that time, which can make it difficult for them to respond quickly after a 999 call.

To help them and you, Lincolnshire County Council allocated £300,000 last November towards a new “falls response” pilot project. It’s being run alongside the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) and the charity LIVES, initially just in East Lindsey.

A new pilot project aims to provide care following a fall

The scheme aims to improve the speed of response to someone who has fallen, enabling EMAS to prioritise lifethreatening calls.
Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell, executive member for adult care and health, said: “We’re looking closely at how the pilot project is going, and have now extended it across Lincolnshire.

“That’s reassuring for older residents, who should see a more appropriate and timely response if they fall, as well as their families. There’ll also be benefits to the whole health and care system, avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions and allowing ambulances to go where they’re most needed.”

Last year, EMAS responded over 8,000 times to people who had fallen in Lincolnshire. Since the launch of the falls service in December, 82% of residents attended by LIVES haven’t had to go to hospital.

Homes for Independence
Everyone wants to carry on living independently – but sometimes we need a bit of a helping hand. That’s the principle behind a county and district council scheme called Homes for Independence.

Under the scheme, new properties are being built and existing ones renovated for residents with current or anticipated care and support needs.

Cllr Bradwell said: “Homes for Independence are already helping hundreds of people in every district of the county. “And as the scheme expands, we envisage many more residents will benefit from what we’re making available.

“The properties are all designed to give people a home environment, with support on hand, in a location suitable for them and their families. “We want to improve housing options for local people, and Homes for Independence give them the right accommodation, supporting them to live independently.”

For more information about adult care in Lincolnshire, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/adultcare or phone 01522 782155.