New rapid response service launches in Shrewsbury to help combat winter pressures

The new 12-month pilot scheme will involve a team of nurses and social care staff who will respond to referrals from GPs, West Midlands Ambulance Service, A&E, Shropdoc and other services, to help prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.

The service, which is jointly commissioned by Shropshire Council and Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group, will provide a 24-hour rapid response service for people over the age of 18 in the Shrewsbury area.

The team will provide an initial assessment, evaluation and treatment to stabilise the individual, if required.

An assessment of their needs will then be carried out and a plan developed to allow them to remain as independent as possible, and a decision can be made to triage them to a more appropriate setting.

The team now provides non-clinical care, support and personal comfort equipment to enable individuals to remain safely in their own home.

Innovative

And from January 6 they will continue to offer 24 hour non-clinical care, but this will be supplemented by nursing care every Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday between 2pm and 10pm.

Jane Tait, admission avoidance team manager, said: “There has long been a need for a focused admission avoidance service in the county and this is the first step in creating a rapid response service, recognising that many conditions can be managed safely within an individual’s own home.

“Shropshire Council’s adult social care team work with partners to provide a range of innovative, high quality approaches such as harnessing technology to enable independence and allowing people to remain at home and within their own communities.

“We are confident that our new admission avoidance service, alongside our existing schemes will continue to support and get the best outcomes for Shropshire residents.”

David Stout, interim transformation director for Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP), added:"We fully support the new admission avoidance service. By helping to reduce the number of people visiting A&E, will mean faster treatment and care for those who are most seriously ill.”

To find out more about the service email admission.avoidance@shropshire.gov.uk

What service to use and when

Health chiefs have also offered advice on what health services are available and when they should be used.

• A&E is for emergencies only and for critical or life-threatening situations such as if someone is choking, experiencing chest pains, blacking out or losing a lot of blood, people should dial 999 immediately.

• Minor injury units or walk-in centres in Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Oswestry and Whitchurch are equipped to diagnose and deal with many of the most common ailments people attend A&E for – including broken bones, sprains and strains, minor cuts and wound infections.

• People can also call the free 111 phone line and are urged to stock their medicine cabinets with essentials such as painkillers, indigestion remedies, plasters and antiseptic cream.

• Pharmacists can also offer treatment advice.

• For opening times over Christmas and New Year check shropshireccg.nhs.uk