Cork University Hospital Celebrates One Year of Pathfinder Service

Pictures Credit: Diane Cusack

Featured: Aislinn Griffin, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, Tadhg O'Shea, Advanced Paramedic, Breda Meagher, Senior Occupational Therapist, Dearbhla Burke, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, and Brid O'Donoghue, Senior Physiotherapist, pictured at Cork University Hospital

Over 1,000 Older Adults Assisted at Home

Cork University Hospital (CUH) is proud to announce the successful first year of its Pathfinder service, launched in collaboration with the National Ambulance Service. The Pathfinder service provides a tailored response for low-acuity 999 calls from adults aged 65 and over.

Since its launch on March 29th 2023, the CUH Pathfinder service has responded to 1023 calls for older adults in Cork. Impressively, 67% of these individuals were able to remain safely at home with Pathfinder’s intervention, easing the pressure on ambulance services and avoiding unnecessary transfers to the emergency department.

The average age of patients assisted by the Pathfinder team is 79 years, with the oldest patient being 100 years. A significant portion of these calls, 40% or 411 cases, were in response to falls, underscoring the need for targeted fall prevention and response measures for this age group. The Pathfinder team’s impact is most evident in key areas throughout Cork, with the highest demand in Blarney and North Cork City (18%), followed by South Cork City (12%) and West Central Cork (12%).

Commenting on its success so far, Bríd O’Donoghue, Senior Physiotherapist with the CUH Pathfinder Service, stated, “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. 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 service also provide continuity of care, with 587 follow-up home visits provided by physiotherapists and occupational therapists since its launch. These visits typically include short-term rehabilitation, provision of essential equipment, and coordination of further community support. To date, the service has made 876 referrals to local community organisations, with the charity ALONE, community nursing, and general practitioners as the primary referral destinations. This model connects patients to ongoing support networks, underscoring CUH’s commitment to delivering holistic, community-integrated healthcare.

CUH is one of many hospitals across the country collaborating with the HSE’s National Ambulance Service (NAS) to use the Pathfinder service to care for the needs of older people.

Pictures Credit: Diane Cusack

Featured: Brid O'Donoghue, Senior Physiotherapist, Dearbhla Burke, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, Aislinn Griffin, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, and Breda Meagher, Senior Occupational Therapist

About Pathfinder:

Pathfinder is an innovative national healthcare initiative developed by CUH and the National Ambulance Service to provide a tailored response for low-acuity 999 calls from adults aged 65 and over. The Pathfinder team comprises advanced paramedics, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists who attend emergency calls in a rapid response vehicle. In cases where further support is needed, a follow-up team of physiotherapists and occupational therapists offers continued care at home for up to seven days, focusing on short-term rehabilitation and seamless referrals to community resources.