Published on: 29 June 2022

From the 4th July we will be taking referrals for our new Rapid Response services in South Tyneside and Sunderland. This is a new community-based crisis response service which can be delivered within a patient’s home or usual place of residence. 

Our Rapid Response teams care for people who need urgent help with a health or social care crisis. This could be a new condition, such as a UTI or deterioration of a pre-existing condition such as COPD. The team is made up of a range of highly skilled Health and Social Care professionals. They will assess and support patients who are unwell and need intervention to keep them out of hospital and stay well at home.  

Our Rapid Response teams have been developed in line with the NHS Long Term Plan to improve the capacity and responsiveness of existing UCR services to deliver care within two hours.

Examples of Clinical Conditions that should be referred to the service: 

  • Respiratory conditions, such as COPD   
  • Abdominal pain   
  • Urinary symptoms, including blocked catheters   
  • Mobility issues, including assessment for equipment   
  • Sudden change in Function/Activities in daily living   
  • Falls   
  • Skin problems, e.g. cellulitis, wounds, lacerations, rashes   
  • Exacerbations of long-term conditions   
  • Unplanned or urgent bloods   
South Tyneside Rapid Response 

South Tyneside Rapid Response provides a single point of contact for referrals and can support patients between 8am - 8pm, 7 days a week. (Please note: the nursing response is a 24-hour service).  

Once referred to the service, the team will triage the patient and prioritise the response time by clinical need. Where the patient does not meet the referral criteria, the team will signpost to another appropriate service.  

How to refer a patient:    

  • Patients who meet the inclusion criteria can be referred to South Tyneside Rapid Response by calling 0191 283 1930 (click here for inclusion and exclusion criteria) 
  • You should advise the patient that the team may contact them before a visit if additional information is required.   
IMORTANT INFORMATION    
  • Please always check the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the South Tyneside Rapid Response Team when considering the referral of any patient. Please click here to view.    
  • The team must be contacted on 0191 283 1930 before the patient is referred. This is essential to enable the team to assess if the patient’s condition is appropriate to be seen by the service.    
  • If the team feels that the patient is not appropriate for the service, they will advise you regarding a referral to a more appropriate healthcare service.    
  • Once our team accepts the referral you do not have to make any further phone calls.    
  • South Tyneside Rapid Response is not a replacement for 111 or 999. If a patient requires emergency treatment, they must attend ED or call 999.   
  • Patients who are pregnant, under 18 or experiencing a mental health crisis should not be referred to this service.  
  • All patients must be registered with a South Tyneside GP practice and live in South Tyneside.  

Recovery at Home: Rapid Response 

In Sunderland, we will be expaniding our existing Recovery at Home team with a new Urgent Community Response (UCR) team. This team will be called Recovery at Home: Rapid Response.  

How to refer a patient:  

  • Patients who meet the inclusion criteria can be referred to Recovery at Home: Rapid Response by calling 0191 561 6666. (Click here to read inclusion and exclusion criteria)  
  • You should advise the patient that you are referring them to the Rapid Response team before the patient is referred.
  • Once our team accepts the referral you do not have to make any further phone calls.    
  • Recovery at Home: Rapid Response is not a replacement for 111 or 999. If a patient requires emergency treatment, they must attend ED or call 999.   
  • Patients who are pregnant, under 18 or experiencing a mental health crisis should not be referred to this service.  
  • All patients must be registered with a Sunderland GP practice and live in Sunderland. 
IMORTANT INFORMATION 
  • This does not change how you currently refer patients to Recovery at Home. This is simply an additional service within the existing service.   
  • Always check the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the Rapid Response Team when considering the referral of any patient. 
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