A partnership between the fire service and the Royal Stoke University Hospital has helped nearly 2,000 vulnerable patients return home since it began in 2023.

Under the scheme, the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service collects patients and helps them to return home while also providing a series of fire safety and wellbeing checks with the aim of preventing readmission. 

Specialist fire and health partnership technicians operate the service seven days a week together with hospital staff at the Integrated Discharge Hub, who select patients that would benefit from the service. 

Now the 'home from hospital' scheme has won the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust's Chief Executive Award in recognition of the initiative.

Ian Read, head of prevent, protect and partnerships at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Home-from-hospital is about us working together for the common good, whilst giving us an opportunity to keep people who could be at risk from fire, safe.

"After collecting patients from hospital, our technicians transport them home and make sure they're safe, warm and have everything they need. This can include ensuring the water and heating supplies are working, identifying any potential hazards, checking they have food and access to a phone and completing a fire safety check."

It is thought since its launch in December 2023, the home-from-hospital scheme has helped almost 2,000 patients who are well enough to return home and continue their recovery in the comfort of their own surroundings whilst freeing up bed spaces.

Dr Simon Constable, Chief Executive of the Trust, said: "Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has become the first external partner to receive the Chief Executive Award as a symbol of UHNM's appreciation for everything they do for us and our patients throughout the year.

"Home from Hospital is a hugely successful and impactful patient safety initiative for us that we couldn't do without."