The Acute Clinical Team (ACT) gives short-term care to frail patients who would rather be in their own home.

They can also call on other teams to provide treatment in the home, like physiotherapy.

The team provides care between the hours of 8:30am and 10pm, seven days a week.

GPs can refer patients to the ACT and they can also be called out by the ambulance service, social workers, district nurses, Acute GP Unit, hospitals, A & E Departments and the voluntary sector. It also works with paramedics to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions from 999 calls. Accepts patients over 18 years of age.

Referral times are Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm and can be contacted Neath Port Talbot Gateway – 01639 686802

On Weekends and Bank Holidays 8:30am to 5pm and can be contacted through Neath Port Talbot Hospital Switchboard on 01639 862000

If patients do end up being hospitalised, ACT can also help achieve an early discharge.

Some of the conditions that are supported by ACT include:

• Any deterioration in the patients physical health and social situation that puts them at risk of unnecessary hospital admission
• Where there’s a progressive deterioration in the patients’ health that could be stabilised by a comprehensive assessment

Examples of these include:

• Chest infections/Urinary Tract Infection’s, viral illnesses, diarrhoea and vomiting, dehydration/malnutrition, not coping at home, falls, confusion secondary to organic causes, patients requiring intravenous antibiotics, (IVABX), intravenous infusions/subcutaneous infusions
• Support and advice for Care Home staff with their patients including end of life care, IV infusions and IVABX, patients at risk of hospital admission with reduced fluid intake, patients who may be aspirating and with reduced dietary intake
• Patients who require short term drug titration and monitoring of Atrial Fibrillation, Assessment and management of suspected Deep Vein Thrombosis of lower limbs ’in patients who are housebound, management of newly diagnosed Pulmonary Embolism suitable for outpatient treatment
• Patients who need short term care/support/medical intervention in a crisis situation until a longer term plan of care can be established

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who are acutely unwell needing a hospital admission

What does ACT do?

• Comprehensive Medical assessment and management plan including investigations and a medication review by Nurse Practitioners and where appropriate by a Consultant Physician either at home or in rapid assessment clinic in the Elderly Day Unit at Neath Port Talbot Hospital. 
• Treatments provided include IVABX, IV/subcutaneous fluids, IV treatments initiation and titration of anticoagulant therapy.
• Monitoring such as base line observations including oxygen saturations, weight, fluid balance, blood tests, ECG, bladder scan.
• Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy for acute muscular skeletal problems, falls prevention, acute chest problems, mobility, confidence, equipment provision
• Home Care support – personal care, medication support, meal provision, toileting
• Access to services – Elderly Day Unit and to inpatient beds in Neath Port Talbot Hospital. Onward referral to other services as required including Secondary Care Consultants and Clinical Nurse Specialists, Reablement Team, Sensory Support, Social Worker and voluntary services.