Firefighters in Stone and across Staffordshire will be doing more to help vulnerable residents in a new partnership with the NHS designed to tackle health and social problems and reduce winter pressures.
The ground-breaking national partnership between Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Public Health England (PHS) was launched this week and will see firefighters in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent carrying out extended ‘Safe and Well’ checks.
Firefighters already visit thousands of homes each year to carry out home fire risk checks – so they are perfectly placed to spot the dangers facing the most vulnerable members of our community.
The ‘Safe and Well’ visits will be more in-depth and will focus specifically on vulnerable residents and those with complex needs. As well as reducing the risk of a fire, they will aim to decrease health risks such as falls, loneliness and isolation which should result in a reduction of people attending A&E, suffering broken hips and experiencing depression.
[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]Chief Fire Officer Peter Dartford said: “This high-profile partnership between the fire and rescue service and the NHS is a truly ground-breaking step that will benefit tens of thousands of our most vulnerable residents. With approximately 670,000 home safety checks carried out across the country every year, this is an incredible opportunity for us to reach those who are most in need of support, helping to avoid an issue from turning into a crisis.[/box]
[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]“The fire and rescue service and health and social care services have a great affinity and in Staffordshire we are proud to be leading the way in continuing to develop this vital partnership. This exciting new venture is one of many that we are developing with our colleagues in the NHS, putting us at the forefront of innovation and integration.”[/box]
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is one of just three services across the country to be selected for the pilot partnership.
