East of England Ambulance Service First-hand look at pioneering innovative falls project

The much-publicised and well received emergency care practitioner and social worker partnership pilot scheme in west Hertfordshire has received a further boost with a visit from the Trust's chair, Maria Ball.

Maria was invited by ECP Graham Clements and social worker colleague Jackie Read to join them on Tuesday, March 2, and no sooner was she at Hemel Hempstead station than the crew were called to a falls patient already familiar with the service.

Graham said: "We re-visited a patient who we had seen the day before, and who was delighted with the service she received. We were then called to a man with a very complex medical history and no care package in place. "After a thorough examination we were able to supply him with equipment and also put in place a package of care, which started the same evening approximately two hours after our visit."

Maria commented on her exciting shift: "I watched Graham assess the patient and decide upon appropriate healthcare treatment, followed immediately by a social care assessment and decision about services, by the equally experienced Jackie.

"The patient was treated, able to stay in their own home, provided with a range of easy-to-use equipment and a home care support package arranged for them starting that very evening. "What a result for the patient. A pilot project that I believe the NHS should be very proud of."

Maria added she was "privileged" to spend quality time with Graham and Jackie, and that it was important to realise the value they were giving. "They are heroes' and 'thank you, thank you so much' are words I heard said many times by patients and relatives," Maria said.

"The key to the success of this joint pilot between our Trust and Hertfordshire County Council's Adult Care Services is that the right people - the decision makers - are in the right place, in people's homes, at the right time, when people have a crisis."