Safety Check for Elderly Residents
A new scheme enables elderly residents in Oxfordshire to have a series of safety checks carried out in their homes to ensure that they remain safe and well.
A partnership group has developed a referral form that allows each participating agency to refer elderly residents and their concerns from one agency to another.
The scheme is being managed by the Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust and the services offered include fire safety checks, crime reduction advice, alarms service and help in preventing falls or accidents.
The referral forms are available electronically to all organisations or can be downloaded from the Oxfordshire Safer Communities Partnership website – www.saferoxford.org.uk
Richard Adams, Community Safety Officer, Oxford City Council says: “The scheme means that if for example an elderly person has been a victim of crime then their GP and the community nursing team would be notified, as such an event could impact on their health.”
Katie Cleaver, Health Improvement Practitioner, says: “The advantage of a central hub is that the onus rests on the PCT to ensure the referral is directed appropriately and frees up the time of each organisation making referrals.
Organisations participating in the scheme are Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust, Anchor Trust, Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service, Oxfordshire County Council, Oxfordshire Social & Community Services, Age Concern, Cottsway Housing Association, Cherwell District Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, Message in a Bottle – The Lions Club, and Thames Valley Police.
