Home Treatment Service (west Kent)

We are an urgent care service that aims to keep patients from being admitted to an acute hospital by delivering hospital-level treatments in people’s homes

This is often requested for people with long term conditions or frailty for whom a hospital admission is not in line with their current treatment goals.

Looking for services in east Kent? Visit our Frailty Home Treatment Service.

Who we are

We are a community team made up of a variety of staff including Consultant Geriatricians, Speciality Doctors, Advanced Clinical Practitioners and Healthcare Assistants. The Home Treatment Service has excellent links with GPs, community teams, hospices, the ambulance trust and local acute hospitals.

What we do

We provide urgent care at home with the aim of avoiding an admission and people stay on our caseload for a short period of time to cover the acute phase of illness. We triage and aim to see patients within two hours of a referral dependent on clinical need. When required there are links with community rehabilitation teams, long-term conditions teams or community support.

The focus of the service is on people aged over 65 with frailty. However, the teams also see those over the age of 18 with acute exacerbations of chronic medical conditions where admission to hospital could be detrimental to them or is not in line with their current goals.

How do you use this service?

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

Contact us

Referrals are from healthcare professionals only.

03000 247 111 (west Kent only)
kchft.WKUCHomeTreatmentService@nhs.net

Monday to Sunday, 9am to 10pm

If you are a healthcare professional interested in our services, please email but do not refer.

Referral criteria

Acceptance criteria for patients referred to Home Treatment Service are as follows:

Cellulitis not responding to oral antibiotics.
UTIs without sepsis but causing other morbidities like falls or acute confusion.
Stable, community-acquired pneumonia needing IV antibiotics/ hydration or monitoring (detail guidance to be further worked out).
COPD and asthma exacerbation.
Acute heart failure (mild to moderate).
Non-fracture falls.
Dementia crisis.
Acute confusion.
Gastroenteritis with mild to moderate dehydration.
Hypoglycaemia in patients on insulin.
Frail elderly with acute loss of self-independence or mobility due to any minor illness.
Acute urinary retention (needs linking with urgent urology OPD slots and adhere to the Community catheter pathway).
Palliative or end of life care with acute deterioration.
A person who is experiencing a sudden level of reduced mobility and ability to self-care.
A person who is recovering from injury or surgery.
A patient fit for discharge, but for the need to complete IV antibiotics.
Patients who have lines and require a course of IV antibiotics (e.g. bronchiectasis).
Patients with high level tube feeding needs beyond the scope of the regular community nursing team.

Patients are eligible whether they reside in their own home, community residential home or nursing home.

Patients must be registered with a West Kent GP.

Jilly’s story

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November 2024

Staff were very smiley and professional. They went about their tasks in an efficient manner, explaining everything in detail. They were very reassuring and it was a pleasure to have them in my home.

October 2024

It's a first class service. Doctors and nurses have time to hear your worries and there is less stress to be seen at home. All staff couldn't be more helpful.

September 2024

Very kind and friendly. The appointment was conducted very professionally and explained to myself and nan very competently. My nan felt totally at ease with the staff.

May 2024

Doctor and nurse attended very promptly, following a paramedic referral. Very friendly, efficient and kind. Grateful for the blood tests etc. and ongoing plan going forward. Followed up with a phone call and advice and planned visits for the next 48 hours. Meant we didn't need to go to hospital. All staff we spoke to were excellent.

May 2023

Treated with courtesy and respect, helpful. Time take to understand the problems and emotions.

May 2023

The service prevented me from being admitted to hospital. The professionalism, treatment, care, advice and kindness was second to none. The visits also had a calming influence.

May 2023

absolutely wonderful, couldn't fault the service, they were so helpful.

April 2023

All staff have been friendly, professional and very caring and helpful. They have also been very reassuring and informative regarding treatment and medication.

April 2023

Punctual, relaxed, informative, reassuring and effective.

April 2023

They came on time and they were very kind and gentle with my husband.

April 2023

So very reassuring, clarified several concerns I had, explained everything I asked.

March 2023

Very professional and kind.

March 2023

We are delighted that my mother did not need to go to hospital. The team communicated well and listened to one's needs.

March 2023

The doctors were amazing, especially Amy. The service and care received was first class.

March 2023

I felt so happy during and after all their visits. They are angels. I shall miss them. Thank them all for making me better.

January 2023

Excellent, kind, thorough and professional.

January 2023

Totally professional nurses - explaining everything - absolute treasures - everyone of them. Wonderful. (Hospital at Home)

January 2023

Friendly. The information was clear and my instruction of what to do. Polite very happy with the service. (Hospital at Home)

January 2023

Please thank the team for their amazing care and support. You really are an incredible team.

January 2023

Very helpful, informative. Couldn't be more caring. Excellent service.

December 2022

Always very helpful from the first call made to when the team arrives to process the situation.

December 2022

The team were very thorough in their checks.

December 2022

The team are always polite, caring and explain everything that is occurring.

December 2022

Very thorough check. Explained what they were doing to the patient. All questions asked were relevant to the situation. Plesant, friendly approach.

May 2022

Kind and attentive. Brilliant service.

May 2022

Arrived promptly. Very considerate and professional.

April 2022

The two Health Care Professionals were truly excellent, knowledgeable, very useful practical tips/help. But more than this they showed compassion to the whole family.

April 2022

The team was extremely helpful and friendly - reassuring everyone. Excellent at keeping is up to date.

January 2022

The team were informative and took time to answer questions. They were considerate and seemed to address my problems thoroughly and with follow up.

March 2022

Felt listened to and looked after.

January 2022

Attention to my condition was excellent. Nothing was to much trouble. They did not rush, but made informed decisions. Left me feeling confident.

January 2022

So supportive and kind.

November 2022

Effective service, polite and understanding.

November 2022

Every nurse that came to our home arrived with a lovely welcome, which made us feel so comfortable about the treatment being given.

November 2022

I cannot fault the team. They were in contact daily and also visited to check my husband many times.

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Home Treatment Service (west Kent)

Who we are

What we do

How do you use this service?

Contact us

Jilly’s story

Print this page

Your comments