A pilot scheme, aimed at helping Islanders who have fallen in their home but who have escaped injury, has been shortlisted at this year's Health Service Journal (HSJ) Patient Safety Awards.

The ceremony takes place in September.

The Isle of Wight Council's Wightcare service and the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Service developed the Wightcare Community Falls Response and launched it in March.

The individual or a relative phones either 111 or 999 and the call is triaged.

If there is no injury or other issues, the service calls Wightcare and its responders attend to supporting the person within the hour.

For every hour spent on the floor, there is a ten per cent increase in the likelihood  someone will need to go to hospital.

Since it launched, 45 Islanders have needed the support - the council says ensures a faster response 

Kathryn Taylor, head of quality and governance for the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service, said: "Being able to get to patients quickly who have fallen prevents potential complications that result from being on the ground unable to move, and therefore the need to go to hospital.

"Reducing the number of non-serious incidents awaiting a response from an ambulance also helps to keep our crews available to attend people in emergency and life threatening situations in the shortest time possible.

"We are grateful to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board for funding this pilot."

Councillor Ian Stephens, Cabinet member for adult social services, said: "It is vital Island residents who have a fall don’t wait longer than is necessary to get the help they need. It can be a distressing time for the individual and their loved ones, especially if that person is required to wait for help.

"This scheme, developed right here on the Island, ensures local people who have been triaged by medical professionals as requiring a lower-category response, are seen and assisted more quickly and that the risk of them coming to more harm is reduced.

"This could prevent the need for them to be admitted to hospital. I would like to thank everyone involved in the project which will make a real difference to the residents we serve."