Agenda item

To review Surrey Fire and Rescue Service’s Safe and Well Visit programme.

Witnesses:

Iain Houseman, Area Commander, Prevention and Protection

Sally Wilson, Service Improvement Manager

Declarations of Interest:

None

Key points of discussion:

1.    Officers explained the Safe and Well Visits programme was part of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) statutory duty to provide advice and education around prevention, and that this was a core aspect of what SFRS delivers. The Service was working on improving fire prevention awareness, in particular with the elderly demographic.

2.    The Board were informed that the SFRS were working together with stakeholders and partnering agencies as part of the Fire as a Health Asset (FAHA) , Public Health England, the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA), The Local Government Association (LGA) and Age UK, in delivering a consistent approach across the country in line with the 2015 consensus statement.

3.    Officers informed the Board that the Prevention team were aiming to target resources to the most vulnerable residents by accessing information and key intelligence. An operational team, including 450 members of staff, would go out to the public to deliver the Safe and Well Visits. It was noted that the SFRS use NHS data to identify vulnerable people in the County; the data helped identified over 7,000 residents that were most in need of a safe and well visit.

4.    Officers touched upon what a Safe and Well visit entailed and gave national examples of falls assessments, fitness classes, falls education and multi agency assessment visits. The Board noted that the health aspect of these services reduced pressure off the NHS.

5.    It was noted that the Exeter data enabled the SFRS to identify 7,500 vulnerable people through risk assessments to target and deliver Safe and Well visits. The Cabinet Associate for Community Safety Services commended this approach and emphasised what a great opportunity this was for the SFRS to target key work which was not previously accommodated.

6.    It was highlighted that one of the key areas of concern for the Service was people in isolation. The Officer identified socially excluded individuals as among most vulnerable; this can be a result of a number of issues such as health, activities they’re involved in, or their social standing. The Service recognised this high risk profile and were keen to engage, making every contact count as part of the Fire as a Health Asset work. The Board were given a brief background on mosaic data, this enabled the Service to accumulate the information mentioned above and target high risk people.

7.    The Officer indicated that the Service were using a broader spectrum to engage with residents and listed social media, face to face visits, writing material and radio as methods of engagement.

8.    The Cabinet Associate for Community Safety Services informed the Board that the Safe and Well Visit report had been presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board (HWBB) and that they also understood how the SFRS were helping the wider community and helping them achieve their health targets.

9.    The Chairman expressed the importance of ‘making every contact count’ and commended the work of the SFRS for applying this approach and putting it into good practice.

10.  Member suggested a recommendation to the Health and Wellbeing Board to support the SFRS in delivering health visits which would widen the scope in targeting vulnerable people in our communities and making every contact count.

11.  The Chairman sought clarification on whether pumps that were out attending Safe and Well Visits were still on call should an emergency arise. Officers assured that these pumps were available on call and would attend emergency incidents if the situation arose.

12.  There was a discussion around “signposting”, relaying information to residents through various means and media, and why it was necessary to make every contact count and helping the public access the information they needed. Officers assured the Board that they recognised the importance of “signposting” and that it was a work in progress.

13.  Members suggested that the Safe and Well Visit card to be made available to Councillors and libraries for distribution. It was also suggested that an article be run in the Surrey Matters newsletter to promote and endorse this information.

14.  The Chairman took the opportunity to congratulate SFRS on the Safe Drive, Stay Alive Campaign which took place in November 2016 and encouraged attendance to this event next year.

Recommendations:

·         The Board recommends that the Health and Wellbeing Board investigates the viability of staff or volunteers to be available at GP Surgeries to speak to vulnerable residents to promote Safe and Well Visits and other preventative initiatives.

·         The Board supports the work SFRS around the Safe & well Visits and requests a progress report, including data collected at the recorded visits

·         The Board recommends that the Cabinet Member and SFRS works with Surrey Matters to run a “Make Every Contact Count” article highlighting the preventative work of the Council and SFRS has been undergoing, and for SFRS to provide case studies highlighting the difference it makes for Surrey’s residents.

Actions:

Safe & Well cards to be provided to Members, to promote awareness and share the information across their Borough/Districts.