RAPID RESPONSE
TEAM NEWPORT
Service Provision
and Referral Criteria
Where are we?
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The Rapid Response Team (R.R.T) is part of the
Intermediate Care Team based at St Woolos
Hospital, Stow Hill, Newport.
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The R.R.T consists of five nurses with various
medical backgrounds, both acute and chronic.
We have been fortunate enough to have
integrated with a larger team that together can
offer the patient/client both health and social
care.
Hours of Work
8am-8pm, seven days a week, including
bank holidays.
 Pager-07699611685.Or through the
hospital switchboard on 01633/234234.
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We cover all of the Newport G.P practices.
Aim of Service
The aims of the R.R.T is to provide a proactive,
dynamic, skilled ‘Hospital at Home’ nursing
service using evidence based practice, for
patients with non-life threatening, acute and
chronic conditions.
 Where possible we aim to prevent hospital
admissions and facilitate safe early discharge.
 We work in partnership with the patient in
planning and implementing their treatment thus
enabling them to facilitate their own self care.
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Who can refer?
The R.R.T will accept referrals from any member
of the multidisciplinary team, once the patient
has had a full clinical assessment by either their
G.P or the medical team within the hospital,
responsible for that patient.
 A member of the R.R.T will assess the patients
suitability for acceptance to the caseload. The
initial assessment of the patient, where possible,
should be performed within 90 minutes.
 This involves a full nursing assessment of the
patient, to establish their individual needs and
identify any potential problems: e.g. social care
needs.
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What does Rapid Response offer?
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Intravenous Therapy via:
Peripheral Cannula
Picc Line
Hickman Line
Aphaeresis Line
Mid Lines.
Therapy may consist of antibiotics, fluids or a
combination of both.
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The introduction of a C.O.P.D Homecare scheme led by
Dr Flood-Page Consultant Chest Physician, enables
patients who have been admitted and have been
hospitalised for at least 12 hours the opportunity to be
cared for in their own homes.
The in taking team will be responsible for assessing the
patient and once deemed medically fit, using the
appropriate criteria will be referred to R.R.T.
Each patient will be discharged with a rescue medication
pack. All patients will have an individual care plan, follow
up appointment and will be discussed on a weekly basis
at the multi-disciplinary meeting.
Patients will be referred to Long Term Condition Nurses
on admission to R.R.T caseload
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Management of patients during acute
exacerbations of chronic disease, e.g.
C.O.P.D, and M.S. This incorporates,
support, advice, medication management
and liasing with other multi-disciplinary
team members, such as Long Term
Condition nurses.
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We can offer patients, social care for up to a
week from P.A.T.H (Prevention of Admission To
Hospital). Also, short term physiotherapy and
occupational therapy can be accessed through
R.R.T, using Reablement. Both services are part
of the Intermediate Care Team.
V.A.C therapy can be an alternative wound
dressing and can be performed by the team
either separately or with a combination of
Intravenous Antibiotics.
 Patients who suffer from either intolerance, or
are unresponsive to oral Iron can be offered
Intravenous Venofer (Iron). As with all therapies
it is tailored to each patients individual needs.
 We all undertake both male and female
catheterisation, including urethral and
suprapubic catheters
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Important Points to Remember
1 Please check that there is availability on the
caseload. Occasionally the caseload has been
closed due to the number of patients. It can be
distressing for the patient and relatives to be
told that they are to be discharged only to find
that we are unable to accommodate them.
 2 No drugs will be administered to any patient
who does not have a medication chart. As part
of the discharge process it is the responsibility of
the ward/unit to ensure that all the appropriate
documentation e.g. prescription chart, follow-up
appointments, is given to the patient prior to
discharge. It is not the responsibility of the
R.R.T to collect these.
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3 All medication must be given to the patient
prior to discharge as, it is against Trust policy for
nurses to carry drugs in their vehicles, with the
exception of Adrenaline.
 4 If a patient requires dressings please ensure
they are prescribed the appropriate amount for
their individual needs, until they can contact
their G.P. (This normally takes approximately, 23 days).
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Thank You
The Rapid Response team takes this opportunity
to thank you for giving us your time and
hopefully future support.
 If at any time you feel unsure of what to refer or
whether we would accept a referral please
phone and we will discuss it with you.
 It may be new to us, but we are always looking
at ways in which we can expand the service.
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