The NHS teams are equipped to treat a variety of conditions in patients’ homes. Credit: ARTFULLY PHOTOGRAPHER / Shutterstock.

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is implementing a strategy to manage the additional pressures expected during the winter season, focusing on providing urgent care for older and frail patients directly in their homes.

This initiative aims to prevent hospital overcrowding and ensure timely treatment for those in need.

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Rapid response teams based within local communities are being tasked with attending to less clinically urgent calls within two hours.

These teams are equipped to treat a variety of conditions in patients’ homes, thereby avoiding hospital stays and admissions.

They operate at all hours of the day across England, representing a shift in healthcare delivery from hospitals to community-based services.

The NHS has been preparing for winter by establishing measures such as same-day emergency care, round-the-clock live data centres, and extensive vaccination campaigns.

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Data have shown that 86% of all Urgent Community Response team referrals involve patients aged 65 years or older.

Of all patients who received assistance from these teams, 67% were treated at home as opposed to being admitted to hospital.

In September, NHS teams responded to 85% of patients within two hours, exceeding their target of 70%.

NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: “By sending these dedicated teams out to homes or care homes, hundreds of thousands of patients – mainly those who are elderly or frail – have been able to benefit from quick, efficient and comfortable urgent care in their own home – whether it’s support after a fall, help with catheter problems, or urgent diabetes help.

“These teams are helping to reform the way we deliver care in the NHS – helping us make the shift from hospital to community as part of plans for the future through the Ten-Year Plan.

“Not only is this better for patients, but it is better for the NHS too, particularly as we manage what is already a busy winter for staff.”