Welcome for out-of-hours response service

A NEW out-of-hours service is to be introduced for sheltered housing residents in south Cambridgeshire. The service aims to ensure that residents have access to health care. Cllr Liz Heazell, housing portfolio holder for South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "Over the last year we have consulted residents and staff on the future of sheltered housing. "One of the services rated most highly was the 24-hour alarm service, which our sheltered housing staff would respond to. "Analysis has shown that about 72 per cent of calls related to a fall or the need for medical treatment, and we were keen to develop an out-of-hours response service that better met the needs of our residents." Jane Crawford-White, community living manager for Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trusts, said she was "delighted" that the trusts' short-term rehabilitation and assessment team would be providing the response service. The skilled team, which is made up of nursing and social care staff, will provide residents with access to health care professionals where necessary between 5pm and 9am. The team will be able to provide immediate care and treatment themselves or make a clinical judgement as to whether medical assistance or emergency services are required. - A further improvement to the service will see the team provide 24-hour cover during Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.