RightCare is a scheme which was designed by Derbyshire Health
United (DHU) clinicians to ensure that seamless patient care takes place
out of hours, when General Practitioner (GP) practices are closed. RightCare is
designed for patients with long term conditions and complex healthcare needs, including
end of life patients. The scheme helps to prevent unnecessary admissions to hospital
and attendance at Accident and Emergency (A&E), lower patient anxiety, provides
reassurance and allows patients to access the most appropriate healthcare and advice
quickly.
The service is suitable for people with complex health problems and long term conditions
such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), those requiring palliative
care, frequent users of Accident and Emergency (A&E) and 999, also some people
with Mental Health Conditions and Learning Difficulties.
The scheme is devised around use of the RightCare Plan which is devised with the
patient by their own GP or other health care professional e.g. District Nurse, Community
Matron, etc. and then shared with DHU, by secure e-mail. The plan is valid for up
to 6 months and is kept on a database at DHU which is the Out of Hours GP service
in Derbyshire. DHU currently share the information with NHS Direct, East Midlands
Ambulance Service, Royal Derby Hospitals and Chesterfield Royal Hospital.
Patients should contact RightCare when their own GP surgery is closed and they feel
unwell. Patients will have their own copy of the RightCare Plan, which will help
them decide when further medical help is needed.
Patients will have the dedicated RightCare Number which is shown on the RightCare
Plan which will put them in contact with DHU directly.
The patient will speak to a call handler from DHU in the first instance, usually
within 60 seconds. The medical team at DHU will be able to access the current and
relevant medical details on the RightCare Plan, which will enable the Clinician
to organise the most appropriate medical care. This could be telephone advice, Primary
Care Centre appointment, home visit by a health professional or referral to hospital
if appropriate etc.
If you think yourself or someone you know may benefit from the scheme please contact
your GP surgery or Community Matron/District Nurse to ask about RightCare.
For further information please contact the RightCare Team on 01246 550818