Acute in Hours Visiting Service
From 30 June 2022, this website will not be updated
For the latest local health and care information, visit the new websites for Integrated Care Board hertsandwestessex.icb.nhs.uk or the Integrated Care System hertsandwestessexics.org.uk
From 1 July 2022, Clinical Commissioning Groups will be cease to exist. Commissioning functions and information that has been previously held by East and North Hertfordshire CCG is transferring to the new NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (HWEICB) on 1 July 2022.
HWEICB will become the new data controller. Any questions about the use of data (including patient data) by the new ICB should be directed to hertsvalleysccg.hwecorporategovernance@nhs.net
There are no changes to how local residents access NHS frontline services in Hertfordshire and West Essex as part of these changes.
Acute in Hours Visiting Service
If you are feeling unwell and are not able to attend your GP practice, you can contact your doctor to request a home visit. Some patients will been seen by their usual GP, but some will be seen by a doctor from the Acute In Hours Visiting Service. This is a team of doctors who work across east and north Hertfordshire to visit patients at home to provide appropriate treatment and help reduce attendance at hospital.
The service means that patients are seen quickly and given the best care in the most appropriate setting. It also allows GPs to better manage their patients’ health needs and see more patients during routine practice appointments. Referrals into the service have been high with over 16,000 patients visited during 2013/14 and on average time from referral to being seen of just over 2 hours*. Over 90% of patients visited were successfully treated at home and for the small proportion that did require urgent treatment they were quickly sent to a local A&E department. GP and patient survey results have been very positive and the service is continuing to evolve as we work with clinicians and patients and evaluate its effectiveness.
*(based on a sample period of Jun 14 to Aug 14)