Partnership initiatives support more than 6,000 people in three years

Two of our partnership initiatives are celebrating supporting more than 6,000 patients since they were launched in 2022 and 2023.

The Falls Response team was launched on 7 December 2022 and has provided live service every day since.

As of September 2025, they have been called to 2,802 falls.

The majority of patients this team visit are elderly, and 83 per cent of the time, the patient is assisted and has no injuries. Crews also offer a home fire safety visit when they attend, further reducing any risk to the individual.

The second initiative, the Home from Hospital team, sees patients from the Royal Stoke University Hospital being collected and taken to their homes when they are discharged. There, they are given personalised care and attention, to make sure that they’re protected in their own homes and offered support.

It was launched on 4 December 2023 and as of September 2025, has helped 3,433 people.

Since the role was expanded in July 2024, the team has also installed 581 key safes, helped to move furniture and completed property inspections.

Ian Read, Head of Prevent, Protect and Partnerships at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Serving our communities, especially the most vulnerable, is a priority for the service and I am pleased that so many people have been supported since the two initiatives were introduced.

"The teams provide a fantastic service to our communities and help to prevent the risk of fire with some of our most vulnerable."

Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime, Ben Adams, said: “This is a huge achievement for these two initiatives, which together have made such a difference to thousands of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

“This forward-thinking approach, using the expertise and capability of the teams to provide potentially life-saving support to other areas of demand such as health, is an excellent example of the ‘and Rescue’ part of the Service’s name.”

Dr Rachel Gallyot, GP and Interim Chief medical Officer for the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “This is more than responding to a fall, this is about restoring confidence, dignity and independence. 

"By working together we're wrapping practical, preventative support around people the moment they need it, so they feel safe at home and connected to the services that keep them well."