Alex McIntyre, Optimum Care manager, said “without this scheme, these people would not have been able to discharge from hospital quite so promptly, our Rapid Response service provides the care needed within 24 hours of the person being deemed medically fit for hospital discharge”. 

Once home, the Trust can continue an individualised ‘needs assessment’ of these people, with many able to live independently after 6 weeks of care and others able to live with minimal care and support.  The Rapid Response service was even more important throughout the pandemic when service capacity across other community services was severely limited. Andrea Hill, Optimum Care manager, Northern Trust, sees the Rapid Response service as having served a very valuable role for local hospitals, facilitating discharges, whilst at the same time enabling our hospitals to take in those people who are in greater need of our valuable hospital beds and expert treatment.

Optimum Care Rapid Response coordinators and care staff have really stepped up to the mark to make this service work and we are repeatedly praised by Trusts for the excellent service provided – so important as winter approaches.

Well done to all involved!