Contacts
Contact:
Norma Lane
Director of Urgent Care and Clinical Services
Organisation:
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust
3/4, Abbey Court Eagle Way Exeter Devon EX2 7HY United Kingdom
Tel:
01392 261500
07966 332915
Email:
Website:
Case study:
11 May 2010
Out of hours medical services leaflet in South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Key points
- A new out of hours medical leaflet gives advice and information to people with end of life and palliative care needs
- The leaflet lists some of the circumstances in which patients might wish to phone the out of hours service and indicates the type of response they will receive
South Western Ambulance Service has linked up with Dorset Cancer Network to produce an out of hours medical services leaflet for all those with end of life and palliative care needs telling them what to expect if they fall ill when the surgery is closed.
The leaflet gives them the number of the Dorset Out of Hours Medical Service and assures them they will be able to speak to a nurse or doctor who can provide advice or arrange a visit if necessary.
It also includes a section of personal information, which they are encouraged to fill in as an aide memoir.
The Dorset, Out of Hours Medical Service has access to specialist advice 24-hours a day and is available between 6.30 pm and 8 am, Monday to Friday, and throughout weekends and Bank Holidays.
Patients are advised to call if they have any concerns about their condition.
They should also call if they experience the following:
increased pain that does not settle with two doses of breakthrough medication
nausea, vomiting or other symptoms that do not settle after taking the prescribed medication
distress of a carer or patient
sudden deterioration in the patient’s condition
The response can range from advice over the phone, a home visit or dose adjustment to help and support for the carers.
Back to top