About the Rapid Response Team
The Rapid Response Team (RRT) is an Edinburgh wide mental health nursing team. The service has three main objectives.
- To prevent admission to psychiatric hospital for older people with mental ill health and for people living with young onset dementia.
- The RRT will also facilitate early discharge from hospital by providing intensive support at home.
- All admissions to the Older Peoples Mental Health wards in Edinburgh will be discussed with the RRT who will consider if providing intensive support in the patient’s own home is more appropriate.
The team consists of: Mental Health Nurses and Support Workers with access to Occupational Therapists, Social Workers and Consultant Psychiatrists.
The RRT will provide a 7 day service form 8am – 8pm Mon to Friday and 8am – 5pm at weekends. RRT will close at 4pm
on Christmas Day.
Aims of the Rapid Response Team
- Respond to emergency referrals to Edinburgh’s Older Peoples Mental Health (OPMH). i.e. people who require to be seen within 24 hours
- Provide intensive support for older people who are mentally unwell where there is a risk of admission to hospital
- Support early discharge from hospital by providing short term support until the person is well enough to be discharged to mainstream services
- Work closely with the Older Peoples Mental Health wards to identify and support patients suitable for early discharge
- Assist Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) in supporting a person who is becoming more unwell by providing visits from mental health staff up to three times a day.
- Provide carers’ support when the patient is at risk of admission.
Background Information
The RRT was developed to provide an alternative to psychiatric hospital admission for older people and people with young onset dementia. The RRT can provide intensive support in the person’s home until they are well enough to continue treatment with the CMHT or discharged back to their GP. The core philosophy of the RRT is in line with the Scottish Governments 2020 vision for health care (2011) ‘There will be a focus on ensuring that people get back into their home or community environment as soon as appropriate, with minimal risk of re-admission’.
C.M & K.R 13-08-21
Who can refer:
- GP
- Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist and other medical staff
- Community Mental Health Teams
- Older Peoples mental health inpatient wards in Edinburgh
- Bridging team/liaison psychiatrist when a person requires complex mental health support for discharge.
- IHTT/MHAS
- IJB MATT/Hubs
- Mental Health Officer
- HBCCC mental health wards for early supported discharge
Is there a referral process?
Referrals to the RRT are for people who require a rapid response to a mental health crisis.
Patients must be seen by referrer within 24-48 hours prior to referral, and a delirium screen should be completed.
All referrals to RRT require a telephone call to the service prior to sending electronic referral forms.
How to refer:
The RRT referral line is: 0131 537 6882
Referrals will only be accepted via the number above. SCI Gateway forms should be submitted to Older People Mental Health Services (North or South).
How can I contact RRT?
For further information please phone – 0131 537 6868
