A SERVICE which aims to safely keep older people who phone 999/112 in their home rather than bringing them to a hospital emergency department has managed to keep almost half of the patients they dealt with at home.
A partnership between the National Ambulance Service and the UL Hospitals Group, the Pathfinder initiative launched in Limerick in October 2022 and has in recent weeks expanded its geographical area of operations across the Mid West.
The Pathfinder rapid response team responds to low acuity 999/112 calls for older people (65 years and older). This may be someone who, for example, has experienced a fall at home or who is generally unwell. The older person is assessed by both an advanced paramedic and occupational therapist or a physiotherapist.
Where safe, the team supports the older person at home rather than transporting them to an Emergency Department, by linking with a wide range of alternative hospital and community services. If the patient does require assessment in the Emergency Department, they will be brought directly to their nearest ED.
Pathfinder also operates a follow-up team (physiotherapy and occupational therapy) which provides immediate home-based rehabilitation, equipment provision and case management in the subsequent days following the 999/112 call.
Over the last six months (April-September) in the Mid West, 188 patients were assessed by the regional Pathfinder team, of whom 47 per cent were supported at home without the need to go to the ED.
One patient with direct experience of the Pathfinder service is Pa Buckley (70), from Ballinacurra Weston in Limerick City, who lives with a number of health conditions including asthma and chronic inflammation.
“I have been lucky enough to have the Pathfinder team out to me more than once and I think they provide a great service. I have a few health conditions so I am used to going in and out of hospital. I always get great care in UHL but, like everyone else, I would prefer to stay at home if I could avoid it.
“I think Pathfinder is a great idea and I am happy to see it become more widespread across the country. They can treat you at home or organise referrals for you so you don’t have to go into a very busy hospital looking after some very sick people –and that is the way of the future.
