A Keele University-led project that began in Staffordshire is now being rolled out across the country, as researchers team up with fire crews to help spot signs of mental ill-health in older people.

The Keele researchers previously worked with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service to show routine Home Fire Safety Visits can be an important opportunity to support older residents' wellbeing alongside fire safety.

Now, with funding from the National Institute of Health and Care Research, the study is expanding to Fire and Rescue Services in Shropshire and Derbyshire – with the potential for a national rollout if it proves successful.

Ged Devereux, strategic community health lead at the National Fire Chiefs Council, said: "This research will support people in their own homes whilst also supporting our staff to interact with them effectively, and understand the individual's circumstances before and after an incident to ensure that the right support is provided.  

"We believe that Fire and Rescue Service staff will be motivated to improve awareness about mental health conditions and further optimise home fire safety visits to signpost people to appropriate support. 

"We therefore welcome the opportunity to work with the research team and our Fire and Rescue Services to keep people safe and to learn from this valuable research." 

Researchers say anxiety and depression among the over 60s are often under-diagnosed and under-treated and they are less likely to access mental health services due to perceived stigma. 

So older adults may put off speaking to healthcare professionals about their mood or have other health conditions that either they or their healthcare provider gives priority to. It's hoped the Home Fire Safety Visits can be used as a unique opportunity for fire service staff to support this early detection. 

Not only will the research see this mental health support being delivered during these visits, but the researchers will also evaluate the intervention by interviewing both Fire and Rescue Service Staff delivering the support, and the people they are supporting.  

Dr Tom Kingstone, senior lecturer in mental health and wellbeing at Keele, is leading the research and said: "I am looking forward to leading this NIHR-funded research study and continuing our collaboration with the Fire and Rescue Service. 

"Our previous study highlighted how home fire safety visits could be adapted to help prevent the onset or worsening of mental health problems in older adults.  

"Over the next 18 months, we will work with community members and academic partners to co-design new intervention resources and evaluate these in Shropshire and Derbyshire. Findings could have implications at a national level."

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