Rapid Response Team

Feedback from patients, carers and professionals illustrated a need for more responsiveness and flexibility in care for patients with palliative care needs. The Marie Curie Delivering Choice Programme also identified a need for more out of hours emergency services in the east of the county.

Louise Price, Rapid Response Team Manager (in driver's seat) with rapid response nurses and their spiffy new emergency vehicle.

The programme is piloting a community-based Rapid Response Team covers Boston, South Holland and surrounding areas, and makes emergency and planned visits to patients in their homes during the twilight and out of hours period. The team's nurses and healthcare assistants also provide psychological support and guidance to patients and their carers over the phone.

In its first two years of operation, the Rapid Response Team has prevented more than 1000 unnecessary admissions to hospital and has seen nearly 1400 patients.