Carelink is a lifesaver for Gladys
Released: 9 March 2007
An elderly woman has hailed Wolverhampton City Council’s Carelink alarm service for vulnerable people as a lifesaver after she collapsed at her home.
Gladys Ford, aged 81, of Wednesfield, drifted in and out of consciousness for nearly two hours before managing to contact the 24-hour service by pressing the call button on a pendant round her neck.
Operators at the council’s 24-hour control centre phoned a neighbour who contacted paramedics. Mrs Ford, who lives alone, was given treatment but did not go to hospital straight away.
Two days later a duty doctor visited her and she was taken to New Cross Hospital where it was diagnosed that she had a bleeding stomach ulcer. She was treated and given a blood transfusion.
Recovering at home, Mrs Ford said: “I have collapsed from time to time before as I have ME (also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). This night in the early hours I was not feeling well and collapsed on the bedroom floor and blacked out. I was twisted on the floor and could not get up for nearly two hours.
“Fortunately, I was wearing the pendant and pressed the button. Carelink responded and a neighbour was called. The paramedics came out to me and I was treated, but I stayed in bed for a couple of days because I thought I would be okay again.
“When the duty doctor was called, I was taken to New Cross where I had an 11-hour transfusion.
“I feel certain that if I hadn’t had the pendant round my neck then it would have been very serious or even fatal. I thought my time had come. It was very, very frightening”
Mrs Ford added: “I can’t speak highly enough of the Carelink service. It was absolutely a lifesaver for me. When you are on your own it’s invaluable.
“I would like to thank all of the staff who are always very helpful. It’s a fantastic service.”
Councillor Helen King, Wolverhampton City Council cabinet member for adults, said: “We are so glad that Mrs Ford made a full recovery. Our Carelink Alarm staff are on call 24 hours a day to respond to such emergency situations. This incident shows how invaluable the alarm service can be and the importance of wearing the pendant at all times.
“Our control centre operators have a wide range of experience of working with vulnerable people and are there to take calls day or night. They will contact a relative, doctor, neighbour, the emergency services or a trained Carelink officer depending on the user’s wishes.”
Issued by the press office.