MORE than 200 instances where an ambulance would normally have been needed were prevented thanks to new kit which helps residents after they fall at home.

As part of a partnership between the NHS and Southampton City Council’s Telecare responder service, the Raizer mobile lifting chair helped people who had fallen over and didn’t sustain serious injuries.

In December alone, it was used 42 times, freeing up ambulances to deal with other emergency calls.

Previously, if an elderly resident – who uses the responder service – falls at their home, the emergency services were called to help assist in the lifting process, to prevent further harm.

But now, the service no longer needs to trouble busy ambulance staff, as this new lifting device can be activated by a single operator and requires only limited physical effort beyond the help of a supportive hand.

The device is used by Southampton City Councils’ City Telecare service, which offers 24-hour help to more than 6,286 city residents (and 2,696 Portsmouth residents), providing help at the touch of a button via a pendant or wristband.

Councillor Lorna Fielker, cabinet member for Adult Care, said: “This bit of kit is helping Southampton residents stay in their own homes within their own community for longer.

“It gives them and their families’ peace of mind that in the event of a fall they will be dealt with quickly. This is a great example of how we are working with the NHS and helping to alleviate pressures on emergency services.”

The authority says that a “significant” number of people experience a fall in their home as they get older, and the whole experience can be “very distressing”, particularly for those who live alone.

It adds that it’s common for an elderly person to fall without sustaining any significant injury and they often just need some help to get up. In these situations the Raizer chair can be used to safely assist, minimising the amount of time they are in discomfort and saving “vital NHS ambulance resources”.

Due to the successful use of the chair, an additional one has been provided by Southampton Clinical Commissioning Group as part of a wider piece of work being developed to reduce the impact of falls in the community. The Integrated Commissioning Unit is working with all partners in the City to reduce the numbers of older people falling and to improve the bone health of the population.