In collaboration with its local NHS partners, Bebington and West Wirral PCT has developed a primary care assessment unit (PCAU).
- When GPs contact the bed bureau with a referral, the call is transferred to PCAU in Arrowe Park Hospital.
- The unit is run by an experienced GP with help from intermediate care nurses, social workers and allied health professionals.
- The referring GP is asked about the patient's clinical and social circumstances, and may be asked if the patient could be assessed at home by intermediate care services, avoiding the need for an admission.
- The patient may be asked to attend the PCAU, where they will be assessed by the GP and intermediate care staff, and a management plan agreed.
- There are no beds on the unit. If a patient is sent home following assessment, their GP is sent a discharge summary the next day, and if necessary an intermediate care nurse will contact the patient within 24 hours.
- PCAU is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.
- Audit shows that hospital admission was avoided in 66% of cases.
Source: Desk research for NHS Institute by Matrix Consulting
Categories for this entry:
Clinical Assessment Schemes
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