AN INNOVATIVE project which is helping patients in west Wales to receive the care they need as close to home, Delta Wellbeing’s, now has a rapid response team. The company says that this is helping to prevent unnecessary ambulance callouts and hospital admissions across the area by attending non-medical emergencies and supporting people in their own homes.

During February, the team, according to their own figures, attended a total of 407 callouts, with an average arrival time of 31 minutes, and only 6% needing to be escalated to emergency medical services.

A large majority of calls are for non-injurious falls, and the team aim to improve the experience and outcome of those who have fallen by working to reduce the time it takes to get to the client, to assess and support them at home, and to try and prevent future falls.

The service has helped to reduce the number of emergency ambulance callouts, enabling them to attend more life-threatening calls. It has also allowed the majority of clients, who are generally vulnerable or older, to stay at home, reducing hospital admissions.

The team is part of Delta Wellbeing’s CONNECT project, which is transforming the way social care is being delivered across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, through a new model of self-help and pro-active care, helping people remain independent for longer at home and reducing demand on long-term or acute care.

The service includes bespoke TEC equipment, wellbeing assessment, pro-active wellbeing calls, access to the 24/7 response team and pro-active support pathways, all of which, support residents to maintain independence and remain safe at home.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care Cllr Jane Tremlett told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “The response service responds to calls within 45 minutes for non-medical emergencies, avoiding inappropriate hospital admission and use of ambulances, and ensuring clients who suffer a fall at home are not impacted significantly by lying on the floor for a long length of time.

“Research shows that the impact of falling is considerable, with a negative effect on independence and quality of life. Someone left lying on the floor for more than one hour is more likely to suffer serious injuries and be admitted to hospital, and subsequently moved into long-term care.

“Being able to attend site within one hour and lift clients off the floor not only provides them with the best outcomes but can also have a significant impact on reducing and, in some cases, stopping the need for ongoing support and care.”

Since January 2020, the rapid response team has attended more than 11,391 call outs; of which 37% were for non-injurious falls, 27% were for a ‘no response’ following an alarm activation, and 28% were for other assistance or welfare check. Figures show only 713 of those, or 6%, needed to be escalated to emergency medical services.

CONNECT is funded by the Welsh Government’s Transformation Fund through the West Wales Care Partnership and provides an enhanced wrap-around lifeline and telecare service shaping the future of health and social care across west Wales. A total of 5,703 residents have signed up for the service since it was launched.

Rhian Matthews, Integrated System Director for Hywel Dda University Health Board and Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “The older adult population tell us that what’s important to them is that they remain as well and independent as they possibly can for as long as they possible can and within their own home and communities.

“Through Delta CONNECT we are able to keep checking in on our vulnerable and older population to make sure they are keeping well and independent as they possibly can be, and when they are struggling Delta CONNECT is able to provide a timely response to their needs which allows us to put support in place before things become any worse. This helps us to avoid a hospital admission and protects their independence and reduces the reliance on social care support.

“And if someone falls at home or they need any type of assistance, Delta’s rapid response team works closely with the Welsh Ambulance Service, and make sure they are only taken to hospital when it is absolutely necessary for them to do so. If someone is taken to hospital by an ambulance and we believe that individual could go home with a little bit of wrap-around care from Delta CONNECT and the rapid responders, then we do that to support them and their families.”

Delta Wellbeing is a Local Authority Trading Company, owned by Carmarthenshire County Council, which provides assistive technology and proactive monitoring to support older and vulnerable people to live more independently.

THE STROKE ASSOCIATION is calling for support to sign petition as stroke recovery services are under threat in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire

People who have a stroke in the Hywel Dda health board area are at risk of being abandoned, according to the leading stroke charity.

The Stroke Association is deeply concerned that, as of 2023-24, the funding for the Life After Stroke service in Hywel Dda UHB is unlikely to provide a quality and equitable service for those most vulnerable stroke survivors in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

The Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Service has been supporting stroke survivors in the Hywel Dda Health Board area for more than a decade. The service provides a life-line for people after they leave hospital; helping stroke survivors and their loved ones set their own goals for recovery, manage their condition and become more independent. 

In 2022 alone, the Stroke Association provided specialised person-centred support to more than 250 new stroke survivors and their carers in the Hywel Dda health board area; reducing hospital readmissions, supporting mental health needs and most importantly, supporting stroke survivor independence.

Katie Chappelle, Associate Director Wales, Stroke Association said “Hywel Dda University Health Board has been de-prioritising stroke services for years. There has been no inflation increase in our funding for over six years, resulting in a real-terms cut for stroke support services. Part of the service has historically been provided by Carmarthenshire Local Authority, but they have now withdrawn this money, due to changes in how they pay for community-based prevention services.

 With this support coming to an end, we want to work closely with Hywel Dda UHB to design an effective and quality service which continues to support stroke survivors and their loved ones to rebuild life after stroke.  We urge the Health Board to reconsider their upcoming tender, and include the additional adequate funding needed to deliver an equal stroke recovery service across all three areas for stroke survivors in the years ahead.

“Charities are integral to the healthy functioning of our society and should be accepted as a partner in the health and social care system, particularly at times of strain, rather than seen as a “nice to have”. This means supporting charities with long-term funding and integrating them into decision making. Charities are often best placed to engage with a wide range of people, particularly those who are seldom heard. At the Stroke Association we ensure that stroke survivors have a voice in the decisions that affect them. If there is a failure to recognise, respect and realise the true value of the work that charities do, there is a risk of losing essential provision and the person-centred approach that charities bring to our society.”

There are almost 10,000 stroke survivors living in the Hywel Dda Health Board area. Without this essential service, stroke survivors risk feeling abandoned after they leave hospital, placing further pressure on health and social services, at a time of great strain. 47% of stroke survivors within the health board are registered with GP surgeries that are in the Local Authority area of Carmarthenshire. The other 20% live in Ceredigion and 33% in Pembrokeshire highlighting a need for a service in all three areas.  (Data is from GP register 2019-2020)

Dave Jones, from Ammanford, Carmarthenshire had a stroke in 2017 at 36 years old. He was young, fit and healthy and he never expected it. “When I came out of hospital, I had double vision, my right arm and right leg didn’t work. I couldn’t speak properly. I got to the point of I didn’t want to be here. I actually got to the steps of ending it all. The support I have received from the Stroke Association has been invaluable.”  

The dad of two continued, “My co-ordinator has been a huge help to me. She is always there whenever I need her. I would never have got to where I have got without her.” 

Dave is part of a young men’s peer group based in Carmarthen “we help each other through it and meet up and talk about our experience, it is a massive help to me. Without the opportunity and help to set up this group by the Stroke Association who knows where we would all be. It has been a real saviour to many of us.”

As Dave continues to rebuild his life he has recently become a Stroke Association support co-ordinator, “It is a fantastic organisation that has helped me so much and I want to give back and help others as I know first-hand how important the Life After Stroke service is for stroke survivors.”

Adam Price MS for Carmarthen East & Dinefwr said that“having met with the Stroke Association recently, I am fully aware of the excellent service they provide to stroke survivors across my constituency. Despite a shrinking budget and significant pressures, the Life After Stroke service has continued to provide vital support to patients across the Hywel Dda area.

 “It is vital that stroke recovery services do not get left behind, and we must do whatever we can to save our stroke recovery service. I would urge members of the public to sign this petition to demonstrate just how much support there is for the Life After Stroke service in Carmarthenshire.”

When stroke strikes, part of your brain shuts down. And so does a part of you. Recovery is tough, but with the right specialist support and a ton of courage and determination, the brain can adapt. The Stroke Association is here to support people to rebuild their lives after stroke.  

The Stroke Association has delivered a stroke recovery service across all three areas of Hywel Dda health board for more than a decade. We support stroke survivors, their families, and carers to rebuild their lives after stroke.

To help save our stroke recovery service in Hywel Dda please sign our petition to show your support here

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has confirmed that a spring Covid-19 booster vaccination programme will begin on 1st April for the most vulnerable, including people over 75.

Following advice from the expert Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the vaccine will be offered to:

• adults aged 75 and over
• residents in care homes for older adults, and
• individuals aged 5 years and over who are immunosuppressed.
• In addition, the Welsh Government has announced that the universal offer of a Covid-19 booster will end on 31st March. Higher risk groups and people who develop a new health condition that makes them eligible will still be able to receive their booster vaccine, if advised by a doctor or other clinician.

People who have not received their primary course of vaccinations will be able to do so until 30th June. The JCVI has recommended that the high level of population immunity has enabled the changes.

As well as the spring booster programme, there will be an autumn booster programme later this year, following further advice from the JCVI.

Sir Frank Atherton, the Chief Medical Officer, said: “Coronavirus is still circulating in our communities, so we are offering the most vulnerable another booster vaccination this spring. People who are eligible for vaccination will begin to receive their invitations in the coming weeks.

“For anyone who hasn’t yet received your primary course or original booster – it’s not too late. Please make an appointment to get your booster by the end of this month or your primary course by 30th June.

“Vaccination continues to be the best way to protect yourself and the people around you to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and I would urge everyone to get their vaccinations.”