HEALTH Secretary Sajid Javid made a Valentine’s visit to a community health team.

Mr Javid paid a visit to the Mid and South Essex Urgent Community Response Team – UCRT – to see first-hand how the service provides out-of-hospital care to those that require it.

The pioneering community health team helps reduce avoidable hospital admissions by responding to the crisis needs of patients in their own homes.

UCRT is part of the Mid and South Essex Community Collaborative, as partnership between three community provides, Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), Provide CIC and Northeast London Foundation Trust (NELFT).

Referrals are made to the service by health care professionals, including GPs and paramedics, and each case is ranked in the order of treatment needed before staff are sent to provide care.

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The development of Mid and South Essex UCRT, accelerated in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, has seen an 87 per cent increase in the number of accepted referrals since its inception in March 2020.

This has led to around 2,000 fewer hospital admissions per year and a reduction in demand for around 40 beds per month, as well as significant efficiency saving for the local NHS.

During his visit, Mr Javid spoke to GPs and paramedics who use the service, as well as call handlers, triage nurses and frontline URCT staff.

Mr Javid said: “It’s been incredible to see first-hand the astonishing work being carried out by health and social care staff across the East of England, and I’ve enjoyed speaking to local residents and hearing what they would like from our healthcare services as we recover from COVID-19.

“As we continue on the road to recovery, I want to thank everyone in the wider region who’ve shared their thoughts and experiences with me and who have given me the opportunity to talk about my mission to reform services, so they better cater to their needs.

“We know integrated care can help boost recovery times, reduce waiting lists and level up the health of the nation and I was proud to see local services are working together in the East of England to achieve this.”