New early intervention vehicle introduced in Herts

An early intervention vehicle (EIV) has been introduced as part of a scheme in north east Herts to help care for patients within their own home.

The staff on the vehicle will provide services like community health care assessment, occupational/ physiotherapy attendance, social service access, falls service, equipment provision and advice on medication.

Covering Welwyn Garden City, Welwyn, Hatfield and Stevenage, the EIV is referred to patients via the EOC, after the call has been appropriately triaged. In the future, the Trust is hoping to develop the scheme to allow the EIV team to accept referrals directly from their colleagues.

Initially the most appropriate calls will include:

  • falls patients
  • those over the age of 65
  • those living in residential care homes, nursing homes or supported living

The operating hours are 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

Dave Fountain, Locality Director, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to demonstrate our willingness to work with NHS partners and make the care for our patients more focused and integrated.

“We have been closely working in east and north Hertfordshire with our commissioners under their NHS Vanguard, to target specific groups of patients who would benefit from more integrated care - especially those who are frail and over the age of 65.

“These are exciting times and my thanks to all who are working hard to ensure our patients receive the best care possible”.

In July the EIV will begin engaging directly with care and nursing homes in Welwyn, Hatfield and Stevenage. The role will involve supporting and educating our care home providers in their decisions around when to refer to acute medical providers, and supporting patients to remain in their planned care environments safely, for longer.

Published 19th May, 2016

0 Comments
Leave a Comment
Name (required)
Email Address (required, never displayed)
Enter a message

(all comments are moderated - your submission will be posted on approval.)