The BBP is pleased to announce the launch of the Pre-hospital Ambulance Support Team (PhAST). A new model of pre-hospital support hosted by members of the Borough Based Partnership, including:
· Hospital secondary care services at West Middlesex Hospital
· Primary Care
· Community Services
· The London Ambulance Service (LAS).
Dr Clare Carasco, RCP Chief Registrar Medical Director West Middlesex Hospital Together said:
"Through shared decision making, the new team aims to ensure patients residing in Hounslow nursing, and care homes receive the best possible care in the most appropriate place.
"The team aims to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions that can potentially increase morbidity and mortality in this cohort of patients".
Benefits to the pilot
Many older people living with frailty in care and nursing homes are conveyed to hospital by ambulance but then turn out not to need hospital care. PhAST aims to ensure more older people living with frailty receive urgent care, or community care in their setting, if this is safe to do so, and in keeping with their wishes and preferences.
How will it work
If a nursing home requests LAS support for a resident, LAS will attend and assess the resident, they will then provide clinical information via a direct line to The PhAST Consultant at West Middlesex Hospital. The Consultant will decide based on this information and in liaison with community services or their GP, on how best to treat this resident in their care setting.
Patients and relatives will also help to shape this pilot, as their feedback will be sought and reviewed, this will help to ensure their views are taken into consideration and services are adapted in a patient-centric manner. Stakeholder feedback will also be captured, and reviewed to help ensure all partners accurately understand each role and function, and hurdles or barriers can be addressed collaboratively.
This is a great example of integrated working that aims to support better health outcomes for patients and residents, whilst reducing unnecessary hospital admissions.