Healthwatch Tower Hamlets joined the Physician Response Unit for a day!
The observer shift provided an opportunity to witness how the PRU team functions and conducts their off-site consultations of vulnerable patients in their homes.
Read on to learn more about the PRU and our experience of the observer shift.
The Physician Response Unit (PRU) is a collaboration between Barts Health NHS Trust, London’s Air Ambulance Charity and the London Ambulance Service.
This service aims to provide safe, effective and patient-centred emergency care in the community, transforming how care is provided in North-East London by treating patients at home, thereby reducing unnecessary hospital visits. Staffed with a senior Emergency Medicine doctor and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), the PRU is equipped with advanced medical tools found in hospitals, enabling comprehensive on-site treatment.
The Service Director at Healthwatch Tower Hamlets, Matthew Adrien, and Enter & View Officer, Shreya Mandal, joined Dr Matthew Spriggs and Shannon Brooks (EMT) on their PRU shift.
During the first part of the shift, they observed three patients over the age of 90 at their homes located across North-East London. They had all been assessed by London Ambulance Service and/or the Urgent Community Response teams (formerly Rapid Response Teams, RRTs) then referred to the PRU.
One patient was experiencing nausea, dizzy spells and had a recent fall. The use of a Rapid Response Vehicle meant that all patient cases were seen in a timely manner. The PRU team carried an extensive kit consisting of diagnostic equipment and emergency treatment traditionally found in the Emergency Department.
The PRU team spent a lot of time with the patient to carry out medical checks, provide support and reassure them. The team also went out of their way to collect a prescription for a patient from the nearby pharmacy to prevent any potentially harmful delays to starting this critical medication, which was invaluable and highly appreciated.
“It was a fantastic day spent with Matt and Shannon and was great to witness the value of the PRU service to some of the most vulnerable members of the community in the comfort of their own homes. The care and attention provided to patients on the day was first class and you could see how important this service was to patients and their family members”.
The team was also observed to be very organised and coordinated with the other PRU team on shift to independently allocate cases between themselves. At the end of every consultation, the team actively distributed free-post feedback form to family members of the patient.
Overall, it was an insightful experience which allowed Healthwatch Tower Hamlets representatives to observe the dedication that goes into providing high quality patient care in the comfort of their homes.
“The opportunity to join the PRU team was an insightful experience. We observed just how much care and attention is provided to the vulnerable members of our community to ensure their wellbeing.
Matt and Shannon took their time to examine patients and made sure to answer all their queries during their visit, often exchanging light-hearted jokes which entertained the patients. Their approach seemed genuine and caring.”
“We are grateful to Matthew and Shreya for spending time with the PRU team. Their role within Healthwatch Tower Hamlets — the local champion for health and social care — is vital in shaping person-centred care by ensuring that listening to service users is central to care improvement. Showcasing the work of the PRU across Tower Hamlets, Newham, and Waltham Forest, and receiving their valuable feedback, has further strengthened our commitment to delivering excellent, compassionate care to our local community.”
