Safe at Home supports patients to receive urgent care at home
Safe at Home is supporting people across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to receive urgent care at home when it’s safe to do so, instead of going into hospital. This is giving people better experience and easing pressure on emergency services. Now, with the introduction of telehealth, even more people will be able to live independently, safely and with dignity at home.
Safe at Home is a joint service between Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, Cardiff Council and Vale of Glamorgan Council. It offers a safe and immediate alternative to being taken to the emergency unit by ambulance or being admitted to hospital.
Since its launch in January 2024, the service has supported more than 1,000 people and helped save more than 9,200 hospital bed days.
For many people, particularly those who are elderly or frail, receiving care at home, when possible, can be safer as long hospital stays can increase the risk of losing independence, catching an infection and deteriorating further. Safe at Home focuses on supporting those most at risk of being in hospital for a long time.
Susan from Penarth was referred to Safe at Home by NHS 111 Wales in December 2024 following a fall and gradual decline. Susan wanted to remain at home because she didn’t want to risk deteriorating further or losing her independence. With support from Safe at Home, she was able to recover in the comfort of her own home.
Susan said: “I had the doctors, nurses, physiotherapists come back and forth to help me with my recovery and without the help of the service, I would not be sitting in this chair today. I'm really just so grateful, the reason why I can live like I'm living today is because of the care and the attention the team have given to me.”
From 28 April 2025, Safe at Home will introduce telehealth to support more patients to remain at home or leave hospital as soon as possible. The joint initiative with the Value Transformation directorate in the NHS Wales Executive will allow Safe at Home clinicians to safely monitor patients remotely and provide clinical advice or support if needed.
Patients who opt in will receive a tailor-made box of equipment supplied by Doccla. Depending on their needs, it can include devices that monitor heart rate, respiration rate, body temperature, blood oxygen levels and blood pressure.
Cath Doman, Director of Health and Social Care Integration at Cardiff and Vale Regional Partnership Board, said: "The Safe at Home service is a vital part of our commitment as partners to enable people to live independently, safely and with dignity in their own homes. Through strong partnership working across health, social care, housing and the third sector, we are delivering real, positive change for people across Cardiff and the Vale. It's about the right support, in the right place, at the right time — and ensuring this is at home wherever possible.
“Technology is playing an increasingly important role in this to help people, and the team supporting them, monitor their health, making it even more responsive and accessible to those who need it most."
Rachel Lee, Clinical Board Director for Primary, Community and Intermediate Care at Cardiff and Vale UHB, added: “Safe at Home is a great example of how the Health Board is working collaboratively with partner organisations to ensure we are caring for people in the right place. By supporting people to stay at home when it’s safe to do so, patients and their families have a far better experience and we can prevent unnecessary hospital attendances.
“The introduction of telehealth brings the Health Board closer to delivering a seamless, integrated system for urgent care in the community and will make a real difference to patients across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.”