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A pioneering new scheme involving Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, City Health Care Partnership CIC (CHCP CIC), Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust and Humber NHS Foundation Trust was amongst the winners at last night's Hull Daily Mail Health and Care Awards.

The evening was held at The Deep to celebrate the achievements of people who put themselves before others and dedicate their lives to improving the health of people and communities across East Yorkshire.

Managing Director of the Hull Daily Mail Mike Pennington outlined the challenges facing the health sector:

"We want to celebrate all the people who dedicate their lives to helping us when we need them most. These awards shine a spotlight on the outstanding contribution they make to East Yorkshire's health and care services."

Hull FIRST (Falls Intervention Response Safety Team) is part of the Hull 2020 transformation programme which has nine public services working together for a healthier, safer city. NHS Hull Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is supporting a six month pilot which is unique in its approach to responding to people in need.

Group Manager Matt Sutcliffe was delighted with the award:

"This really is a testament to the team and them putting themselves out and doing it different. I hope this can only help us secure further funding to deliver and broaden the service going forward and keep ourselves ahead of the game in making a difference."

Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) provide the initial clinical triage for calls via 999 and NHS 111 where a patient has fallen. Clinical advisors working in the YAS Clinical Hub, which is run from its Emergency Operations Centre, provide a robust clinical assessment to ensure patients are provided with the most appropriate care for their needs. Where appropriate, the multi-skilled falls response service, involving fire officers and emergency care practitioners (ECPs), then aim to support non-emergency patients within one hour.

The British Geriatric Society estimates that around 30% of people age 65+ and 40% of people age 75+ who are living at home fall each year. In Hull 1,016 people aged 65+ were admitted to hospital with injuries due to their fall last year. While most falls do not result in a serious injury, a fear of falling can reduce confidence, independence and social contact.

Hull FIRST’s holistic approach to patient care involves Humberside Fire and Rescue officers following through from picking people up safely, to quickly assessing their needs and, in partnership with the Hull Falls Prevention team, resolving any instant problems that might have caused the fall.

City Health Care Partnership CIC has provided the clinical input of the ECPs and has trained the ten fire officers involved in the Hull FIRST pilot. If a clinical assessment or medical treatment is needed as a result of the fall this will be provided by ECPs or ambulance clinicians on scene to help avoid an unnecessary transfer to hospital.

The Humber NHS Foundation Trust Falls Prevention Team works closely with the Hull FIRST team and will continue to support patients once they are safe and stable, providing holistic falls and fragility fracture risk assessments in the home which could include occupational therapy, physiotherapy and fracture liaison nurses.

Safety equipment in the home is provided through the joint Hull City Council and Hull CCG Better Care in Hull programme.

Full list of award winners:

  • Outstanding Health Professional of the Year, sponsored by Hull York Medical School: Anne English, physiotherapy clinical specialist at Dove House Hospice
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Cobus Communications Group: DIGGDeep, a project run by Hull and East Yorkshire Mind.
  • Young Carer of the Year, sponsored by the Medical and Social Care Academy at St Mary's College: Joint winners Christiana Fraser and Bethany Tomlinson
  • Health Partnership of the Year, sponsored by Humber NHS Foundation Trust: Hull Falls Intervention Response Safety Team
  • Care Home of the Year, sponsored by Burlington Care Limited: Queensgate Care Home
  • Innovation in Health and Social Care Award, sponsored by Citycare: Wilberforce Pharmacy
  • Unsung Health Hero Award, sponsored by Denestar Ltd: Eileen Wright
  • Carer of the Year, sponsored by Hica Group: Barry Sedgwick
  • Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by Bishop Burton College: Judith Burke
  • Health Improvement Award, sponsored by Hull City Council's public health department: Dr Gabriel Hendow
  • Lifetime Contribution Award, sponsored by Hull Clinical Commissioning Group: Dr Adam Wong