NHS Islington...

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REACH Intermediate Care Team

The Islington REACH Intermediate Care Team is a multidisciplinary team which is made up of staff from both NHS Islington and Islington Council. Team members include:

• Physiotherapists;
• Occupational therapists;
• Speech and language therapists;
• Rehabilitation assistants;
• Social workers;
• Nurses; and
• Psychologists.

The team works in collaboration with older people and their relatives/carers, to promote health and maximise independence in mobility, communication, work, leisure and everyday activities. This work is carried out in their own homes, day centres, residential and nursing homes, or any other appropriate environment.

The service is the access point for community based rehabilitation, as well as intermediate care facilities at Cheverton Lodge Nursing Home, Lennox House Residential Home, Mildmay Park Sheltered Housing and St Pancras Hospital.

The team works in partnership with Islington Council Social Services and Housing departments, hospitals, primary care services and voluntary agencies, to provide seamless health and social rehabilitation for older people.

Who is the service is for?

The service accepts referrals for those over 16 years with a healthcare need who are predominantly housebound and reside in Islington. The majority of clients are in older age. We provide services to meet needs as outlined below:

• People with complex health needs associated with later life, who require an episode of assessment, treatment, advice and/or rehabilitation.
• People whose health needs are related to multiple pathologies or whose needs are related to illness, which typically manifests itself in later age, e.g. falls, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, degenerative bone and joint disease.
• People whose health needs are related to combined physical and mental illness, which typically manifests in later life e.g. combination of dementia and osteoarthritis.
• People who are at risk of or who have had a fall as a result of disease or decline associated with older age.
• Those with age related decline in function who require a period of rehabilitation and social care support to regain health and independence to remain living independently in the community.

How are clients referred to the service?

Referrals are more usually made through the following agencies:

• Local hospitals – UCLH, Whittington, Homerton, Royal London, Royal Free.
• Primary care services – GPs, district nurses.
• Mental health professionals.
• Social Services – social workers, care managers, occupational therapists, Information and Access Service.
• Voluntary services.
• Sensory Disability Team.
• Age Concern.
• London Ambulance Service.

However, the team is always happy to discuss referrals/requests for advice with clients themselves, their relatives and their carers

Relevant national patient organisations

• Help the Aged
• Age Concern
• Stroke Association
• Motor Neurone Disease Association
• Parkinson’s Disease Society
• Carers UK
• National Osteoporosis Society
  

Top tips

• Stand up against falls! - A self help guide to reduce your risk of falling

Downloads

• REACH team leaflet