Hundreds of thousands of older and frail patients will receive
urgent treatment from home this winter, as part of NHS plans to
manage additional pressure this winter.
Rapid teams based in local neighbourhoods will attend less
clinically urgent calls within two hours and treat patients for a
range of conditions and issues at home.
From falls to diabetes support or people who are suffering from
confusion, the nationwide teams ensure that patients are quickly
and effectively in their home - avoiding a hospital stay but also
preventing hospital admissions.
The NHS has been putting plans in place to prepare for the busy
winter period – from same day emergency care, live data centres
open 24 hours a data and huge vaccination efforts.
Today is the last day people will be able to book their COVID-19
and flu vaccination appointments on the NHS App, NHS website or
calling 119. Flu season usually peaks in December and January and
the vaccine provides vital protection to prevent people from
developing serious illnesses and ending up in hospital during the
busy winter months.
More than two fifths (86%) of all Urgent Community Response team
referrals are for patients aged 65 or over with the latest data
showing that more than two thirds of people (67%) whoreceived an
urgent community response team response, was able to get
treatment at home, without the need for a hospital attendance.
Hardworking NHS teams have consistently delivered well above the
target to respond to 70% of patients within two hours,
prioritising patients that require a speedy response,
with 85% of patients seen within just two hours in
September.
Operating 12 hours a day, seven days a week across England, the
health squads are a key part of moving services from hospitals
into the community, which is better for patients and better for
the NHS.
Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive, said: “By
sending these dedicated teams out to homes or care homes,
hundreds of thousands of patients – mainly those who are elderly
or frail – have been able to benefit from quick, efficient and
comfortable urgent care in their own home – whether it's support
after a fall, help with catheter problems, or urgent diabetes
help.
“These teams are helping to reform the way we deliver care in the
NHS – helping us make the shift from hospital to community as
part of plans for the future through the 10 Year Plan. Not only
is this better for patients, but it is better for the NHS too,
particularly as we manage what is already a busy winter for
staff.
“NHS staff, as ever, are doing an incredible job in managing the
additional pressure and the public can play their part too by
using services as they normally would – use A&E or call 999
with a serious injury or in a life threatening emergency and 111
for urgent health needs.”
In Oxford, the urgent community response service delivers crisis
response for people who are at risk of a hospital admission in
the next 24 hours. Part of Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust,
the service provides assessment, treatment and support in the
patient's home, with UCR teams working closely with secondary
care.
A ‘consultant-on-call' service has been introduced where the UCR
clinicians have direct access to an Oxford Health consultant
geriatrician, which enables a clinical conversation to take
place. Together they devise an agreed treatment plan for the
person, often resulting in the person remaining at home instead
of being taken to hospital.
TO NOTE:
- 21.5% of referrals are carer/relative
- 14.2% from community health service
- 13.5% - general medical practitioner practice
- 10.2% - ambulance service
- 7.6% care home
- 3.7% hospital
*Exact figure of referrals is 1,996,240
- It is still possible to book your vaccinations after 19
December through local NHS vaccination services, like pharmacies
or walk-in sites. However, there will be fewer COVID-19
appointments, and you may need to travel further.
