The Rapid Response home visiting service is designed to provide urgent, same-day clinical home visits for patients at high risk of hospital admission.
This is to help them remain safely at home and avoid unnecessary emergency care.
We commission this service. It is delivered by Wandsworth GP practices to registered and eligible patients.
The service first commenced in 2014. It was renewed on 1 April 2025 and will run through to 31 March 2026.
The service is delivered collaboratively with partners, including:
- London Ambulance Service
- Local nursing and residential care homes
- Older Peoples Liaison Service at St George’s Hospital
- The Acute Admission Avoidance (AAA) pathway
- NHS South West London Integrated Care Board (ICB)
- Wandsworth Primary Care Networks (PCNs)
- Out of Hours providers, NHS111, and local A&E departments.
The benefit of the service for patients, include:
- Rapid access to clinical care within 2 hours of referral
- Reduced risk of hospital admission
- Continuity of care through follow-up visits
- The ability to remain in a familiar home environment during acute episodes.
The benefits of the service to primary care and the wider healthcare system, include:
- Less pressure on emergency departments and ambulance services
- Supports primary care in managing complex patients more effectively
- Enhanced integration across health and social care systems
- Provides a structured, reimbursed model for urgent home visits.