When a paramedic comes calling

Thanks to a trailblazing, award-winning local scheme, some practices in the Wokingham Borough are now using paramedics for home visits instead of GPs.

The Paramedic Home Visiting Scheme ensures that people receive the most appropriate care at the right time. It is part of the new NHS Long Term Plan which emphasises the role health professionals, such as pharmacists and paramedics, can play in relieving pressures on GPs.

It’s simple. Housebound people call their surgery and are assessed by their GP over the phone. If it’s a 999 emergency, then an ambulance is sent. If it isn’t, a paramedic with advanced training can make the house call on behalf of the doctor. Visits by paramedics are scheduled throughout the day, in contrast to GP visits which tend to be at lunchtimes or early evenings.

“We focus on people who are clearly unwell, those at risk of being admitted to hospital” said Simon Denman (pictured), one of two paramedics who visits patients registered at practices in Woodley Centre, Parkside, Loddon Vale, Twyford and Wargrave.

“We solve the immediate medical problem and then take the time to ensure it doesn’t recur. We do this by referring patients to what we call ‘pathways’. For example, if a person is at risk of falls we can refer them straight to an occupational therapist. There are also pathways for mental health conditions, deep vein thrombosis, for chest pains – all sorts of things.”

The scheme was launched 18 months ago, and ten to 12 patients a day now receive home visits from a paramedic. Feedback from patients has been very positive, who comment on the speed and quality of the care they receive.

Paramedics have prevented people from going into hospital, but also ensured serious cases are acted on sooner and are seen in hospital much quicker. Both GPs and the Royal Berkshire Hospital commend the service, and can see the health benefits to patients.

Support from the Borough’s Better Care Fund is extending the scheme to practices in Earley, Finchampstead and Swallowfield. “We’re now looking to how we can cover the whole of the Borough, and introduce new features such as more rapid response to possible cases of sepsis,” said Dr Rupa Joshi, Clinical Lead for the project and a GP at Woodley Centre.

The scheme was also shortlisted for integration innovation in the 2018 National Association of Primary Care Awards.