New ‘A&E at home’ to cut hospital visits
PATIENTS who would typically be seen in A&E could now be treated in their own homes or at the scene of an emergency as part of a new service.
The new physician response unit (PRU), created between Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and the Welsh Ambulance Service, aims to cut down on “unnecessary” hospital admissions and free up ambulances for the sickest patients.
When someone dials 999 the call handler will decide whether or not the incident falls under the remit of the PRU, which consists of either an emergency medicine consultant or senior emergency medicine trainee from the health board and a healthcare professional from the ambulance service.
The team will then travel in a rapidresponse vehicle (RRV) to the scene of the emergency, where they are able to carry out diagnostic tests including Covid-19 screening, ultrasound, and blood tests. The medics also have the ability to consult hospital specialists about how to treat the patient effectively.
Those involved are hoping that the service will help some of the most vulnerable groups in the region including the frail, elderly, those who are shielding, and people experiencing mental health crises who could avoid attending hospital completely.
The scheme went live on April 12, for a trial period of six months, and operates from 10am until 7pm on weekdays except Wednesdays.
Dr Syed Masud, consultant for Cardiff and Vale UHB and clinical lead for PRU, said: “We’re pleased to be launching this service for residents of Cardiff and the Vale and bringing the expertise of our emergency medicine teams to the homes of our patients.
“As Covid-19 is still prevalent in our community we understand that some of our most vulnerable patients may feel uneasy accessing emergency care in our hospitals. By introducing this service we’re bringing care closer to patients’ homes in a safe manner, something that is strongly echoed in the health board’s 10-year strategy.
“PRU has the advantage of senior decision-making at the first point of patient access as our responders have direct contact with specialists and senior physicians within the hospital. This means that we can consult on patients’ individual cases and treat them in the comfort of their own home in a fast and efficient manner.”
The unit is made up of doctors from the health board’s emergency unit and a community emergency medicine fellow who will work closely with community partners such as the police and primary care to ensure patients from all community groups are eligible for this service.
Dr Stuart Walker, executive medical director, added: “I’d like to thank my medical colleagues within the health board, WAST, and our community partners for working together to launch this service so rapidly.
“At this crucial point in our pandemic response I am delighted that the health board and other partners are able to offer this service to our patients and residents.”
Mark Cadman, the Welsh Ambulance Service’s operations manager in Cardiff and Vale, said: “The physician response unit ensures unwell patients get the very best care in a timely manner from a senior clinical partnership delivered by WAST and the health board, working in collaboration for the people of Cardiff and the Vale.
“By taking the clinical expertise of the emergency department into a person’s home we can save a patient an unnecessary hospital visit where their condition can be safely managed elsewhere.
“It also means more ambulances are available to respond to our sickest emergency patients.”