Cork University Hospital Pathfinder service making a real difference for older people 

Cork University Hospital’s (CUH) Pathfinder ambulance service has assisted more than 1,000 older people in their own homes in its first year.

Launched last year in collaboration with the HSE National Ambulance Service, CUH’s Pathfinder provides a tailored response for low-acuity 999 calls from adults aged 65 and over who have fallen or been injured in their homes.

They are treated at home to reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments

Within its first year, the Pathfinder initiative responded to 1,023 calls, with 40% of these cases relating to falls.

“By delivering rapid-responsive care directly to patients’ homes, we’re able to help many older adults remain safely in place, avoiding unnecessary hospital visits and easing concerns for those living alone,” senior physiotherapist with the CUH Pathfinder service, Bríd O’Donoghue, said.

Vital

“Our team works closely with each individual to ensure they receive follow-up care or community support, where needed, which has proven vital.

“Over 75% of our patients who remain at home after the 999 call have been linked in with essential community services, connecting patients with ongoing support.”

The Pathfinder teams consist of advanced paramedics, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists, and they attend emergency calls in a rapid-response vehicle.

Their aim is to significantly ease the pressure on ambulance services and avoid unnecessary transfer of patients from their homes to the emergency department.

The service says that of the 1,023 calls made in the last year, 67% of individuals were able to remain safely at home with Pathfinder’s intervention.

The average age of patients assisted by the Pathfinder team is 79, with the oldest having been 100.

Impact

The Pathfinder teams’ impact is most evident in key areas throughout Cork, with the highest demand in Blarney and north Cork city, at 18%, followed by south Cork city, at 12% and west central Cork, also at 12%.

The Pathfinder service also provided continuity of care, with 587 follow-up home visits, which typically included short-term rehabilitation, the provision of essential equipment, and further community support co-ordination.

To date, the service has also made 876 referrals to local community organisations, such as the charity ALONE, community nursing, and general practitioners.