Intermediate Care (previously Rapid Response Service) is available to the population of the North West Wales NHS Trust and has been operational since July 2001.  It is a joint venture between the North West Wales NHS Trust, Anglesey and Gwynedd Local Health Boards and Social Services.

It involves a dedicated multidisciplinary team who respond to the population and its main aims are:

• To facilitate early safe discharges from hospital (assist with reducing length of stay and therefore capacity)
• Assist in the prevention of unnecessary admissions to acute hospital
• To enable patients to remain in their own homes whilst receiving multidisciplinary health and social care
• To provide short term intensive rehabilitation at home on the basis of a comprehensive assessment resulting in an individualised care plan
• To maximise independence and allow patients to continue to live at home
• To complement and enhance current service provision
• To prevent unnecessary admissions to nursing homes and community hospitals, that through lack of recovery or rehabilitation input would or could lead to long-term placement

Patients from the Anglesey and Arfon areas have access to this service.  The nurses are based in Ysbyty Gwynedd and work closely with ward staff and the Discharge Co-orindator to co-ordinate appropriate patients onto the scheme.

Referrals

• The Service is provided Monday to Friday, 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
• Assessments are usually carried out within 24 hours
• There is an open referral system from clinical and social service personnel which include General Practitioners, District Nurses, Area Social Workers, Hospital Staff, Rapid Response Link Nurses and Therapists.

NOTE:  Referrals are not accepted directly from patients or carers.

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