It was really interesting to meet with Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust in Ampthill to hear about how they are working collaboratively to help improve patient outcomes.
Previously if an older person has a fall at home but has no injuries they may have had to wait a long time for an ambulance but this pilot is driving waiting times down and helping patients be treated at home rather than in hospital.
The partnership means new Community Welfare Officers at Beds Fire are working with the ambulance service to respond to fall incidents. I was given a live demonstration of the revolutionary new equipment they're using.
This helps to relieve pressure on the NHS and gives the fire service the opportunity to do safety checks at the homes of vulnerable people, including testing fire alarms.
I look forward to working closely with the fire service and ambulance service in the coming months and years.
