A scheme designed to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions has saved an estimated 708 bed days, according to Great Yarmouth and Waveney's health commissioners.
The success of the early intervention vehicle (EIV) was discussed yesterday evening as the NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) came together for its AGM at Beccles House.
Having been rolled out seven months ago, the EIV initiative has seen ambulance and therapy staff join forces to create a support system that keeps patients at home following a 999 call.
'The EIV has been a great success,' said Melanie Craig, chief officer of the CCG. 'Most people do not want to go into hospital unnecessarily and the EIV has enabled many people to stay at home if this is appropriate.'
Julie Robinson, who works on the EIV team, added: 'I get a great deal of satisfaction from working on the EIV. We are able to help people quickly and help them to stay at home.'
During the seven-month operation period in Great Yarmouth and Waveney, it is estimated the EIV saved 370 double-staffed ambulance callouts and 285 journeys to hospital. It it also thought to have prevented 255 visits to emergency departments and 78 unplanned hospital admissions.
From October, the EIV will be operational seven days a week.
The meeting also featured discussion on the CCG being rated as 'good' by NHS England in July's annual report, ten months after it was placed in special measures.
Last year's assessment saw the health authority ranked as 'inadequate', but in May the special measures were removed and NHS England highlighted stronger leadership and a variety of improvements for patients in cancer and urgent care.
Ms Craig later added that Beccles Medical Centre would be in line to receive a funding boost to cope with increasing demand for facilities as a result of the impending construction of new homes in the town and surrounding area.
The CCG also outlined its local priorities for the next 12 months. They include making improvements to mental health services, providing better support for diabetes, improving end-of-life services and helping GP practices to be more resilient.
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