Frailty Home Treatment Service (east Kent)

Who we are

We are a community team led by consultants from the Community Frailty Team and East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust. We are supported by advanced clinical practitioners, nurses and therapists; working in collaboration with GPs. The service forms part of a wider urgent care service with our partners.

What we do

We provide acute assessment and medical management for patients in their home or care home.

We provide individualised treatment to frail patients in crisis in east Kent. We agree a plan with the referrer and the patient and if required, the patient will be treated in their own home.

The service’s ultimate aim is to avoid patients being admitted to an acute hospital by diagnosing, assessing and treating patients. The service runs as a virtual ward, with patients under the care of the lead clinician.

The service works closely with hospital discharge teams and GPs to support early discharge of patients and provide a step-down service for those who are ready to leave hospital.

How do you use this service?

You need to be referred by a GP, healthcare professional or care home professional to use this service.

Information for referrers

We accept referrals for patients who are acutely unwell and are:

• in an acute hospital bed with a need to facilitate discharge
• at home
• in a care home.

Referrals can be made by hospital teams, ambulance crews, primary care, community teams, out of hours providers and care homes.

Please contact:

Local Referral Unit
0300 123 4498
kentchft.ekreferralunit@nhs.net