Rapid Response & Virtual Ward: WH

HaringeyIslington

Rapid Response provides a joined up integrated service at home for acute unwell patients, to avoid unnecessary admissions.

Patients will have access to:

  • a multi-professional team consisting of nurses, therapists and health support workers, providing support from 8am until 10pm, seven days a week
  • an overnight referral acceptance offered from district nurses from 10pm to 8am, seven days a week
  • clinical and social input
  • Nursing staff within the service have advanced physical assessment and prescribing skills and will lead on the patients' clinical management.

The service offers:

  • A face-to-face initial assessment within two hours, four hours or 24 hours, depending on need identified at triage and agreed with you.
  • An initial assessments by a nurse and/or therapist dependent on clinical needs identified with you at triage.
  • Intervention will be for up to seven days or as needed, with patients being directly referred onto appropriate health and care services if required.
  • Matron led clinical input and coordinate of the patient's health and care needs until patients are discharged from the Rapid Response service. GPs will maintain overall clinical responsibility for the patient. The matron will update you of any concerns and contact you once your patient's intervention has been finalised.

Virtual Ward (step-up): Islington

The team offers a mix of remote monitoring and home visits from the Whittington hospital, they  consists of nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, healthcare assistants, (carers) and therapy assistants. providing support from 8am until 8pm, seven days a week. The team also has a GP who provides medical advice to clinicians, provides medical governance to all patients under remote monitoring and conducts home visits to high acuity patients.

The primary purpose of Virtual Wards is to enhance patient care by offering a safe, convenient, and comfortable alternative to hospital stays. They are especially beneficial during the winter months when healthcare systems face increased pressures. By treating eligible patients at home, we can reduce hospital admissions, alleviate the strain on hospital resources, and minimise the risk of hospital-acquired infections.

Real-time Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of patients ensures immediate response to any changes in their condition, providing a safety net and peace of mind for both patients and caregivers.
Personalised Care: Each patient's care plan is tailored to their specific needs, ensuring they receive the most appropriate treatment and support.


Eligibility Criteria

Inclusions

  • adults aged 18+
  • resident of  Haringey and Islington
  • assessed face-to-face or by telephone by a GP 

The service will travel up to one mile from Haringey and Islington borough borders, for patients registered with NCL (Haringey and Islington) GPs, if this supports continuity of care and is requested by the GP.

Admission advoidance for such conditions including decline in mobility, including falls (without head injury/acute injury requiring imaging), acute MSK related pain, rinary tract infection (UTI), upper or lower respiratory tract infection (URTI / LRTI), acute exacerbation of heart failure, acute exacerbation of chronic, respiratory issues, unstable diabetes, cellulitis and social needs for those needing an urgent new package of care up to three times a day or increasing care packages up to four times a day, in addition to their health or therapy need, limited to care delivered by a single person (single-handed packages of care).

Virtual Ward (step-up): Islington

  • Patient over 18 years of age and housebound
  • Patients recovering from conditions like delirium, who can be safely managed at home.
  • Patients with frailty or other conditions suitable for remote monitoring and management.
  • Consultant Approval for step up referrals. 
  • The patient must have a safe home environment where they can be left alone or managed with the assistance of one carer.

Exclusions

Virtual Ward (step-up): Islington

  • Not suitable for patients who require double handed care or have no formal social care arrangements.
  • Patients requiring intensive in-hospital care or complex diagnostics.
  • Patients already discharged or those whose needs are better met by traditional hospital care.
  • Patients requiring new initiation of Oxygen therapy.
  • Not suitable for those with mental health conditions as the primary diagnosis
  • Not suitable if the home environment is unsafe (known drugs/alcohol/violence)

How to Refer

Rapid Response

Ask for the clinician for rapid response. Referrers can speak to a clinician for advice and to book a visit from the service, the last referral is at 8pm, or 7pm for a guaranteed two-hour response

Select option 1: Islington 
If additional written information is requested, email: whh-tr.islingtonrrvw@nhs.net

Select option 2: Haringey 
If additional written information is requested, email: whh-tr.haringeyrrvw@nhs.net

Virtual Ward (step-up): Islington

Ask for the clinician for rapid response. Referrers can speak to a clinician for advice and to book a visit from the service, the last referral is at 8pm, or 7pm for a guaranteed two-hour response

Select option 1: Islington 
If additional written information is requested, email: whh-tr.islingtonrrvw@nhs.net

Catheter hotline (10pm-8am)


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Review date: Friday, 14 November 2025