The Rapid Assessment Team at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital were delighted to receive an award at the recent Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust Recognition of Excellence and Achievement in Community Health Awards.

The team took home the trophy for Clinical Partnership Working as a result of the work they do supporting patients at the Trust. Set up ten years ago, the Rapid Assessment Team is made up of nursing staff employed by Norfolk Community Health and Care, therapy staff employed by the Trust and social care staff employed by Norfolk County Council.

Their focus is to support the smooth discharge of patients who come to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and wherever possible prevent people being unnecessarily admitted, by providing a comprehensive multi-agency assessment with the necessary support on discharge.

Working alongside the emergency departments and other areas including the fracture clinic, the team assesses around 270 people each month. By carrying out their assessments, over two-thirds of people are discharged without needing to be admitted into a bed.

Sara Tansley, Rapid Assessment Team Leader said: “All of us came into this profession as we want to offer the best care we can for our patients. I know what we do at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital not only benefits our patients but also our colleagues. Patients receive the care and support they need in order for them to remain as independent as possible, through a variety of services. It was fantastic to win, we’ve been over the moon ever since!”

Catherine Morgan, Director of Nursing went on to say: “I am immensely proud of the multi-agency team we have here, and it is always fantastic news to learn when any of the staff based here have won awards. The work the Rapid Assessment Team does here means our patients have a far better experience when they visit us, and will not be admitted when they don’t actually need to be. Well done to all of the team – you deserve it!”

Alongside the award, the team have also been noted in The Queen’s Nursing Institute ‘Discharge Planning Report – Best practice in transitions of care’ as an example of best practice.

The Rapid Assessment Team were awarded as joint winners alongside The Matrix Project, another Norfolk Community Health and Care service that provides a range of services from sexual health screening, contraception, emotional support, safe sex information and safe working advice.

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