Prevention of Admission (POA) referrals into ELHSCP are managed through the Partnership Single Point of Access (SPOA). This pathway aims to provide a co-ordinated approach to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions for residents of East Lothian. Services accessible through the SPOA are Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Hospital at Home.
Partnership services will support patients who are at risk of admission within the next 24-72 hours and for whom the GP is happy to manage medical needs at home/Hospital at Home are appropriate. A comprehensive clinical assessment will be completed, and any interventions provided, aiming to manage the patient safely at home.
SPOA hours: Monday-Friday 8am – 4pm.
Currently there is no provision to accept referrals out of hours.
Interventions provided include:
- Transfer and mobility assessment and provision of equipment as required
- Assessment of activities of daily living (either independently or with support of carers/family)
- Graded practice of selected activities to improve function
- Assessment and referral for critical packages of care
- Specialist Social Work input to complex social situations
- Onward referral/link with community services as indicated
M.A. & J.P. 16-01-26
Who can refer:
GPs, DN’s, ANP’s
For same day assessment, referrals MUST be received before 2pm.
Who to refer:
East Lothian residents over 16 years old.
Patients at risk of hospital admission same day/within 24hrs.
Patients at risk of potential hospital admission within 72 hrs if current needs/situation is not addressed within 24-48hrs.
Who not to refer:
Patients who are not at immediate risk of admission – please use current processes:
Community Occupational Therapy – ELRS COT Pathway
Community Physiotherapy – ELRS Community Physiotherapy
How to refer:
Via telephone – 01620 642834 (SPOA open 9am-4pm).
Via email – loth.homefirsteastlothian@nhs.scot – Please note, a direct telephone conversation will still need to take place to accept the referral.
For same day assessment, referrals must be made by 2pm.
If the primary reason for referral is medical, please continue to use the current pan-Lothian Hospital at Home referral process through the Flow centre.
We are happy to have clinical discussions around referrals/referral pathways.
Home – Access to a Better Life in East Lothian – ELRS Digital Platform with advice, resources and external links to support self-management
