Nottingham On Call is a lifesaver

Looking after an elderly or disabled loved one requires a lot of support. Many people wish to remain in their own homes, which will need to be modified to suit their specific needs so they can be semi-independent and have a good quality of life. Nottingham on Call works within the community to make sure that everyone is safe and gets the help they need in emergencies.

In December 2023, Nottingham on Call worked with emergency services to save the life of Margaret, a Sherwood resident of 60 years. Margaret, who is 91 and has dual sensory impairment, lives next door to her daughter Christine. In the morning on the 29th December, Nottingham on Call received an alert from Margaret’s smoke detector. Bernie, Nottingham On Call’s call handler, attempted to communicate with Margaret to make sure that everything was ok, but received no response. Call handlers can hear and speak through the care alarm, when the emergency button has been pressed.

Bernie reached out to Nottingham Fire and Rescue, and then spoke with Christine. Christine and her husband went to check on her mother and met the Fire and Rescue team at Margaret’s house. 21 minutes after the initial alert was raised, Christine’s husband had safely evacuated Margaret, Nottingham Fire and Rescue dealt with the fire and contacted Bernie to let her know that everyone was ok.

Margaret did end up spending some time in hospital due to smoke inhalation, and then went to stay with Christine while her house is being refurbished. The refurbishment is largely internal as the quick response to the fire meant the structure is still sound. Margaret has been given an alarm pendant whilst she is staying next door at Christines. Christine told the Nottingham on Call team that Margaret finds alarm pendants much easier to use than mobile phones.

Now Margaret has a reliable, easy way to communicate with the Nottingham on Call team and her daughter. Once Margaret's home is ready to move back into then the alarm and pendant will move back with her. Christine spoke with the Nottingham on Call team after the event, and said, “we are more grateful than words can say… it is genuinely down to the quick response from Nottingham on Call that my mum is alive today”. Dave Miles, Nottingham on Call’s Development Manager commented “We are grateful that Margaret is safe and our quick reactions were able to get the right help, quickly.  It shows the value of having a smoke detector linked to our call centre so that if there is an emergency help can be raised within minutes and next of kin informed.”