Community Services Directory

Thematic Work Area: Alcohol and Drugs - reducing the impact on our community

What was the need?

North Devon Hospital in partnership with the Devon Drug and Alcohol Action Team and Safer North Devon locally secured public health money to run a pilot at North Devon A&E Department to improve the collection of data linked to alcohol related injuries (see separate case study).

When launching this project to A&E staff, it became clear that all staff had little access to information on Community Support Services for patients. This became a particular issue when they either disclosed a complex need, such as Alcohol or Drug Misuse or Domestic Violence or when the staff saw the same patients on a regular basis presenting with similar symptoms likely to be related to a more complex needs.

They asked for help gathering relevant information so they could do more than patch people up and send them on their way. The PCT wanted to start to work towards a preventative pattern of care to improve their service to patients and ultimately reduce the repeat intake to A&E.

Also they recognised the availability of general information to patients and families in A&E were inconsistent and generally quite poor.


What have we done?

Safer North Devon led the co-ordination of partner agencies, in consultation with key A&E staff to produce an improved, managed system of information for staff and patients on key areas of Community Services.

What was agreed as actions were:

1. A simple ring binder directory with laminated information from all service providers for reference for all staff.

 

2. A simplified referral form for all patients disclosing a need and wanting contact from one of the support services.

3. A stock of leaflets for all patients relating directly to the laminated copies provided for A&E Staff (With corresponding fax back form for fulfilment of all leaflets, directed straight back to relevant service provider)

4. Community Notice Boards placed in A&E waiting room showing a rotation of Community Services information related to the directory and the available leaflets.

5. Training for staff as required on the use of the directory, referral forms and top-up training on relevant specialist support services.

Whilst the initial need has been identified for North Devon Hospital in Barnstaple as our main A&E department in Northern Devon, the PCT have asked that this might be replicated in Minor Injuries Units in community hospitals if it proves to be successful and sustainable.

The pilot begins at the beginning of March and will be reviewed monthly by SND and A&E staff and partner agencies. A major review of its effectiveness will be carried out at the end of September, when consideration will be given to expanding or enhancing the scheme.

 

What are the results of our work?

As yet it’s too early to tell. We hope that improved access to service information will increase relevant referrals by A&E staff and by community members. We will gather information to consider if this outcome can be proven, we can certainly monitor the number of referrals directly by A&E staff, proving increase in community referrals is not easily linked to this pilot alone.

It is hoped that enhanced knowledge for all healthcare professionals and patients will at the very least improve awareness of the network of local support services and reassure that help is available for those in need.

The initial benefit for SND, its partners and the staff of the A&E department is the improved partnership working and the establishing of key contacts to take forward extended working practices to improve outcomes for all those who need the services of A&E locally.

For more information contact:

Amanda Palmer
Community Safety Manager
Safer North Devon
01271 341200
amanda.palmer@northdevon.gov.uk

Fionn Bellis
Consultant  in Emergency Medicine
Accident and Emergency Department
North Devon District Hospital
01271 311527
fionn.bellis@ndevon.swest.nhs.uk

 

Date of Case Study: 03 March 2009