Safe and well checks – do you know about referring your patients?
December 12, 2019
Safe and well visits are an initiative carried out by West Midlands Fire Service. The safe and well visits are open to all although we prioritise those most vulnerable and at risk, they are also completely free of charge. There is no criteria for the service it is for any patient that we feel would benefit from a ‘safe and well check’. We can also refer patients who are bed bound, reduced mobility or limited to the upstairs of their property in order for the fire service to flag them on their system as at risk if a fire breaks out in their property.
We are now partnering with the fire service with this service and have a referral form that is linked to our trust and the aim is to increase the number of people we are referring to the service in order to ensure that our patients are receiving all the possible support they can when returning home.
The visits are carried out by operational firefighters, based at 38 community fire stations, and usually take around an hour. They will aim to complete these checks within 72 hours of discharge. Possible indications for referral on include but not limited to:
- Smoking, alcohol, medication and drugs
- Mental health
- Cognitive, visual or sensory impairments
- Mobility including slips, trips and falls
- Hoarding
- Loneliness and social isolation
- Healthy eating and lifestyle
- Home security/fire checks/monoxide detector and alarm fitting
- Road safety
A handbook complements the visits, providing vital fire safety information, general safety and health or wellbeing advice. A copy is left with the household, along with information on any actions or referrals/signposting made by the visiting crew. Further information can be found by clicking here.
In order to complete a referral you just need to complete the form below with all the relevant information and email to westmidlands.fireservice@nhs.net.
For more information please contact jannine.hall@nhs.net.