Who we are
The Urgent Community Response team provides short-term care when someone has a health or social care crisis at home. This includes people living in residential or nursing homes. Our aim is to help people remain independent and avoid an unnecessary hospital admission.
What we do
The team provides urgent assessment, treatment and support at home. We work closely with other health and social care services across Medway.
We aim to respond:
- within two hours for people who need an urgent response
- within 48 hours for people who need less immediate support.
The service is available seven days a week, from 8am to 8pm.
Meet the team
Our team includes health and social care professionals with a range of specialist skills:
- advanced clinical practitioners
- community paramedics
- therapists
- enablers
- care managers
- phlebotomists
- dementia crisis
- Admiral Nurses
- GPs, supported by MedOCC when needed.
How to access the service
People cannot usually refer themselves directly to the service. Referrals can be made by:
- a GP
- the ambulance service
- NHS 111
- MedOCC
- a health or social care professional
- another Medway Community Healthcare service already supporting the person.
Who we can support
Patients must be registered with a GP in Medway.
We may be able to help with:
- simple infections
- minor illnesses and ailments
- urgent medical needs that are not emergencies
- falls, frailty or increased vulnerability
- minor wounds caused by an injury
- breathing problems that are not emergencies
- a worsening long-term condition
- falls where there is no injury and the person needs help getting up
- urgent blood tests to help make a diagnosis
- urgent catheter problems
- urgent equipment, such as commodes, walking frames or pressure-relieving equipment
- an urgent social care crisis
- an urgent end-of-life care crisis.
Who the service is not suitable for
- people aged under 18
- people experiencing a medical emergency, such as sepsis
- people who have fallen and may have a fracture, reduced consciousness or a head injury while taking anticoagulant medication
- people experiencing a mental health crisis.
Assessing and treating patients
We assess each patient’s physical, psychological and social needs. This may include blood tests, an electrocardiogram, known as an ECG, and other diagnostic tests. Once we have made a diagnosis, we can prescribe medication directly when needed. This helps prevent delays in treatment.
We will consult the patient’s GP and keep them informed about any treatment we provide.
Supporting people to manage their health
We support patients to take an active role in their care. This includes helping manage the physical, emotional and social effects of living with a long-term condition. We work with each patient to agree their goals and identify the support they need. Together, we develop a plan to manage future crises and reduce the need for hospital admission.