Beyond Housing’s independent living service, Coastcall, has entered a working partnership with Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) to provide additional responsive support to people who are in need of help after falling in their home.

Coastcall is a 24-hour support service, provided by Beyond Housing, that enables elderly, disabled or vulnerable people to remain living in their own homes for as long as possible.

Under the new partnership arrangement the 15 Coastcall responders covering the Scarborough, Whitby and Filey areas will extend their service to assist with emergency calls, triaged through the YAS system, to help people who have suffered a fall but who are not injured to the degree where they would require urgent medical assistance.

The Coastcall responders are fully trained and equipped with specialised appliances enabling them to safely help people get to their feet and recover following a fall in their home.

Emma Close-Reid, Beyond Housing Independent Living Manager, said: “This is something that we’ve wanted to put in place for a number of years but have, until now, not had the opportunity. By working together with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service we’ll be supporting under pressure ambulance crews and increasing our capability for providing care across our communities, at a time when it is needed more than ever”.

Cathryn James, Clinical Manager (Pathways), Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, added: “The aim of this arrangement is to provide the best and most appropriate care, particularly for older people who have had a fall. The ability to ensure a prompt response should reduce the time people have to spend on the floor and minimise associated complications.”