Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda is the first hospital in Wales to work in partnership with South Wales Fire Service to fire check people’s homes on discharge from hospital
On 3rd October Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda together with South Wales Fire Service will introduce a free home fire safety risk assessment to patients on discharge from hospital.
Paul Jones, watch manager at Tonypandy Fire Station said: “A home fire risk assessment means that a fire officer will visit the person’s home and check that they are ‘fire safe’.
“Elderly patients are more at risk of a fire due to the number of co-morbidities they may have. By the Fire Service putting these strategies in place it will help keep people safer at home.
“Working with the health board to ensure patients are discharged home well and to a safe environment is top priority for us, by working together we can personalise individual needs”.
Eighty four year old Maureen Edwards from the Rhondda said: “I think this is a great service to offer patients while they are leaving hospital. All the help I can get to stay safe in my own home is great.
“You also know that the person that is knocking on your door to carry out the fire safety check is genuine as you have agreed to the appointment before you were discharged”.
Lucie Williams, senior nurse at the hospital said: “I am delighted that we are the first hospital in Wales to work in partnership with the fire service to provide the best possible care and outcomes for our patients following discharge”.
Source: Cwm Taf University Health Board