Intermediate Care - the Third Way

 

 

Community Integrated Intermediate Services (CIIS)

Welcome to the new page for CIIS, also known as "Intermediate Care" for short.   In a modern NHS, there are new ways of delivering care, and one of them is CIIS. It's a third option - midway between GP care and going into hospital. Suitable patients can instead benefit from a bespoke package of care delivered in their own homes by a multidisciplinary team of Swansea specialists.   The service also offers fast-track access to hospital consultants via new Hot Clinics and a comprehensive range of diagnostic services are also available.   Scroll down to read about it, and click on the links to view a selection of short video interviews with patients and staff.

 

 

When 74-year-old Michael Drury fell at home, he was taken by ambulance to Morriston A&E, and could have faced a spell in hospital as an in-patient.

 

But instead, Mr Drury had a team of multi-disciplinary specialists deliver a tailored care package for him at his own home, and was given fast-track access to a Consultant Geriatrician through a new ‘hot clinics’ system now underway in Swansea.

 

After being diagnosed with a number of health problems, including a series of strokes he’d been unaware of, Mr Drury has been receiving a range of treatments to both manage his conditions and maximise his mobility, independence and general well-being.

 

This has been delivered without the need for him to spend a single night in hospital, allowing him to stay in familiar surroundings, enjoying a normal daily routine with his family.

 

Speaking at his Waunarlwydd, Swansea, home, Mr Drury said he was surprised at the level of service which was made available to him.

 

 

His wife, Angela, was equally impressed. She said:

 

 

Mr Drury is one of around 130 patients a month who are now benefiting from the city’s Community Integrated Intermediate Care Service. (CIIS)

CIIS, also known as Intermediate Care, is the third way of looking after patients - midway between GP care and admission into hospital. It is playing an increasingly important role in the delivery of modern healthcare in the city, which is why ABM has recently invested £1.1 million in expanding and strengthening the service.

 

A team of 33 full-time and part-time staff, including nurses, physiotherapists occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, social workers and health care support workers led by a Team Manager and a Consultant Geriatrician Claire Dinsdale, aim to:

 

 

One of the latest CIIS developments is the launch of the Swansea Early Response Team (SERS). This team operates seven days a week, responding within four hours to alerts from Morriston A&E that an emergency patient has arrived who could be suitable for Intermediate Care.

 

Since its launch in August, SERS is now dealing with an average of 25-plus patients a month and numbers are increasing. It was the SERS team which initially dealt with Mr Drury. One of the SERS Nurse Assessors, Caroline Kirk said:

 

Many – although not all – of the patients who benefit from Intermediate Care are elderly, and the team work closely with GPs, hospital colleagues The City and County of Swansea, and Age Concern to ensure a holistic approach to the care they offer.

 

As well as access to Consultants, diagnostic services, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and social care; aids and equipment are also available to help patients live as independently as possible.

 

Mrs Bale was referred to Intermediate Care after a complicated hip replacement in November. She had not been able to walk properly for over a year, and needed physiotherapy and other support to regain her mobility.

 

As well as the professional care she received in her home, she was given a ‘perching stool’ which allowed her to half stand, half sit, in comfort for periods of time in her kitchen to carry out tasks like preparing meals and washing up. This has played a big part in helping her to regain her independence and confidence.

 

She said: “I can now cook a Sunday dinner, which is a big achievement.”

 

 

 

Mr Harris, following a stroke, did not want to go into hospital and preferred to be cared for at home.

 

His GP contacted the Intermediate Care team which was able to ensure he was seen by a Consultant and had a package of physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

 

He was also given practical aids, like risers to lift the height of his armchair to help him get in and out of it. He said: “As far as I’m concerned the system is working 100 per cent. I can’t fault it.”