Tameside’s Community Response Service Provide Lifesaving Support

TAMESIDE’s Community Response Service (CRS) have responded to over 2,900 falls in the last 12 months, preventing over 2,653 residents being admitted to hospital.

CRS are Tameside Council’s in-house telecare support service, helping people to live well in the place they call home.  Over the last 12 months CRS have responded to over 2,900 falls and in only 262 cases an ambulance was needed. This means 2,653 people avoided unnecessary hospital stays and an estimated £1.2 million was saved.

The team have also received 2141 smoke detector activations, where 5 resulted in actual fires, their service providing lifesaving support.

The service is based in Dukinfield Town Hall, where customers telecare devices are linked directly to their control centre. They provide support and reassurance to residents (18+) and their loved ones 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Executive Member for Adult Social Care Cllr John Taylor said: ‘’The team make an incredible difference everyday with the crucial support they provide. Not only providing reassurance for their customers, but their families to.

‘’Thank you to the team for your dedication to keeping people safe and living well at home. If you or someone you know would benefit from being connected to CRS, please get in touch and our friendly team will be happy to advise.’’

Devices are linked to the control centre and range from pendants which customers can press if they need assistance and others which are automatically activated if someone falls or has a medical emergency. Other sensors are triggered by smoke, carbon monoxide, a door being left open, a tap being left on or medication not being taken.

The team access Digital Health Services, in partnership with Tameside Hospital, allowing their workers to assess people’s vital signs (blood pressure, oxygen levels and temperature) in the comfort of their own home. The nurses contacted can then provide suitable medical advice and if hospital admission is needed.

Find out more about CRS and how they can support you or a loved one at www.tameside.gov.uk/crs or call 0161 342 5100.