What is the PACT?
The Community Team (also known as the Primary Care Network-Aligned Community Team; PACT) is a way of working that provides assessment, guidance and support to individuals living in their own homes or in care homes. Those who require intervention from the Community Team (PACT) are those who are living with frailty. This is a medical diagnosis that refers to someone who lacks the reserves to cope with minor changes in their health, which may cause them to struggle to remain independent or to require them to need more help and care.
What does the PACT aim to do?
The team will assess the home situation, discuss personal wishes and explore care needs. This includes decisions regarding future planning and wishes regarding treatment. The team can offer guidance, signposting and referral to other services who we believe will be beneficial. We work very closely with other key services within health and social care and the voluntary sector (e.g. charitable organisations) and can access a wide range of support options for patients.
As a patient, relative or carer, what can I expect?
Our Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) and Emergency Care Practitioners (ECPs) work closely with the GPs and other medical colleagues, are competent in performing physical health assessment, investigation, diagnosis and treatment (including prescribing medication) as required. The clinicians provide regular input within all care homes across the Primary Care Network.
PACT: What do we do?
- Undertake regular care home ward rounds for all care homes in Benfleet Primary Care Network.
- Assesses needs to help people live healthily at home.
- Provide education for the individual and their carers and family about conditions and how to recognise and manage symptoms.
- Help the individual and their carer(s) identify if extra services are needed at home.
- Develop and review a Personalised Care Plan with the individual, their relatives and carers and health and social care professionals.
- Liaises with GPs and other health and social care staff to ensure they understand the support the individual needs.
- Refer the individual to any additional services that may benefit them, such as Social Services, Specialist Health Services and Voluntary Agencies.
