Latest News
Friday 8th June 2007
WEL Launch Community Falls Response team
A new pilot mobile response service to help people who fall in their homes is to be officially launched. The 18 month project for Eastbourne and surrounding areas is aimed at helping people to maintain independence after they have suffered a fall that does not result in serious injury.
The Community Falls Response Service, which is part-funded by East Sussex County Council, has attended 126 fallers since its trial period began in January. This has prevented an estimated 91 ambulance attendances when people have fallen.
The service is being paid for through the East Sussex Local Area Agreement and is being delivered by WEL (Wealden and Eastbourne Lifeline), in partnership with South East Coast Ambulance Service.
It operates at identified peak times for falls from 7.30 am to 11.30am and 6.30pm to 10.00pm. seven days a week The option of ambulance attendance is still available in the case of serious falls.
Eastbourne resident, Mr Thomas Say, who recently suffered a fall said: "I was very satisfied with the service I received due to my fall. I felt very comforted and I would recommend the service to anyone."
People can also be referred via the new service to the Falls Prevention Service, which provides information to help people avoid future falls.
Councillor Bill Bentley, the County Council's Lead Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, is officially launching the service at the Wish Tower, Eastbourne Seafront on Monday (June 11), midday - 2pm.
He said: "I am very proud of this new pilot Community Response Service. It will provide better support at home to fallers in the immediate aftermath of a no injury or minor injury fall. This service could prevent hospital admissions and allow people to maintain independence and remain in their own home."
It is hoped the Community Falls Response Service will be rolled out county-wide if it proves a success in Eastbourne and surrounding areas.
WEL can also install sophisticated telecare sensors into an individual's home which can detect a fall and automatically send an alert.