Falls are the most common reason over 65s in Redbridge receive emergency care so the NHS is piloting a new scheme to get them treatment faster.

This week Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital NHS Trust (BHRUT) announced it would pair community treatment team (CTT) nurses with paramedics to treat falls victims quicker.

Between April and June more than 97 Redbridge residents over the age of 65 were admitted to A&E after suffering a fall. The impact on older residents can be devastating.

Nurses and paramedics will now arrive at the scene together in a rapid response car to provide care at the soonest possible moment.

Community nurses are backed up by skilled teams of physiotherapists, doctors and social services and will provide a greater range of treatment.

London Ambulance Service paramedic Scott Wallman backed the scheme.

He said: “As a paramedic, I can take people quickly to hospital if they need to go there. But, I know that might not always be the best place.

“With the CTT nurses on board, we can also link people up with their expertise and all the other care services that back them up.”

CTT nurse Lea Agambar agreed with her new paramedic colleague.

She said: “We know that a stay in hospital can really have a big impact on people’s lives and most people would rather stay at home if they possibly can.

“As a community nurse I can support people at home and bring in all the other services supporting me if patients need them.”

The scheme is set to be trialled until the end of the year when an evaluation will be carried out to see if it will continue.

Dr Atul Aggarwal chair of Havering Clinical Commissioning Group and a local GP said: “This is another example of local NHS services working together so they are more responsive to patients’ needs. We are looking forward to seeing the results of this trial.”

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