Urgent Community Response Team

The Urgent Community Response team (formally Intermediate Care team) has two fundamental aims:

1. To stop people being admitted to hospital wherever possible

2. If people do have to be admitted, the team support people to be discharged home safely and quickly

The team is made up of over 200 colleagues, from nurses, therapists and rehabilitation technicians to healthcare assistants alongside a team of admin professionals. They work across the whole of Northamptonshire every day of the week from 8am to 1am.

Find out more about the team and how they work by watching the first video on the right hand side of the page, called "Introducing the ICT team".

The UCR team also work within the Emergency Departments of each of the two Northamptonshire General Hospitals.

The second video explains more about the role of the UCR team in Emergency Departments.

Referral: You can be referred via the hospital, your GP, ambulance service, specialist nursing services or a carer/family member.

Assessment: A qualified nurse or therapist will undertake a holistic assessment and agree a care or rehabilitation plan with you to ensure goals are met and support is received from appropriate health care professionals.

Treatment/support: UCR nurses may take blood and act on blood test results, prescribe medication or advise about medications. We may continue to see you, monitoring your observations for improvements. We will do our best to support you to remain at home - however there may be occasions when your best treatment option will be to attend hospital. In that case we will make a plan with you.

Discharge/onward referrals: If long-term support is needed we work closely with other multi-disciplinary health and social care teams to ensure patient care is coordinated and continuous.

Hydration - It is important to drink plenty of fluids, especially if it is warm weather or if you have been unwell. If you are dehydrated, you are more at risk of falls, infections and constipation

Continence - Managing your continence with safe toileting and continence products is important in reducing your risk of having a fall and becoming unwell

Pressure care - It is important to try to keep moving throughout the day to reduce your risk of pressure ulcers which can lead to serious complications

Nutrition - It is important to maintain a healthy diet to reduce your risk of becoming unwell

Medication - Ensure that you are taking all prescribed medications correctly to manage your health conditions

Home safety - Cluttered properties increase your risk of having a fall and becoming unwell. Keep the floors and walkways clear from obstruction

Exercise and falls risk - Daily exercises will help you to maintain strength and independence and reduce your risk of having a fall. Around 1 in 3 adults aged over 65, and 50% of people aged over 80 will have at least one fall a year. Most falls do not result in serious injury. But there is always a risk that a fall could lead to broken bones, and it can cause individuals to lose confidence, become withdrawn, and feel as if they have lost their independence

Recognise signs of becoming unwell