Adults with complex needs living in Luton are set to benefit from innovative ‘At Home First’ integrated health and social care services.

Dr Nina Pearson, Luton Clinical Commissioning Group Chairman and local GP explained:  “The At Home First service is good news for local people with complex needs who are at risk of a hospital admission.  This collaboration between adult health and social care community services will enable the delivery of co-ordinated, seamless care to people in their own homes where this is clinically appropriate.

"Whether you’re an existing patient (or carer) with our community nursing service, or a health/social care professional wishing to refer a patient at risk of emergency hospital admission, the At Home First service can be accessed via one single telephone number:  0333 405 3000."

Service Director for Luton adult community health services, Linda Sharkey explains the At Home First rapid response service and intensive case management service:  “Where patients are in crisis, the At Home First Integrated Rapid Response service will stabilise patients through the provision of co-ordinated health and social care in the home for periods of up to 72 hours.  The Integrated Rapid Response Team operates 9.00 am – 5.00 pm, with a 24/7 nursing service.

"Patients with longer term needs can be referred from the rapid response service, or direct by a patient, carer or health/social care professional, to our At Home First intensive case management service.  

”Our Community Matrons will work with patients and partners (including GPs, therapists, social care professionals, reablement and mental health specialists), to develop personalised care plans to meet each individual’s needs, typically for periods of between 30-90 days.  When the patients’ condition improves, they will be discharged from the intensive case management service to routine health and social care services depending on their needs but with ongoing access to the At Home First Services if required. Of course, should patients need hospital care at any time, these specialist inpatient services would continue to be available.”