HCA starts unique admission service
By Douglas Shepherd
HCA Healthcare UK has launched what is billed as a rapid ‘unparalleled’ 24/7 acute admissions service in London, not matched by any other private provider.
Designed for GPs and consultants, it cares for urgent, unplanned admissions at four of its hospitals: The Wellington Hospital, The Lister Hospital, The Princess Grace Hospital and London Bridge Hospital.
The service, built on an established acute care offering, aims to provide swift and streamlined treatment pathways for patients with acute conditions, such as:
Respiratory conditions – including pneumonia and chronic obstructive, pulmonary disease;
Neurological conditions – including acute confusion, worsening dementia and seizures;
Cardiac conditions – including heart failure, arrhythmias, blood clots, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis;
Patient admissions following postoperative medical complications;
Gastro-intestinal,liver and hepatobiliary conditions, including acute biliary problems, acute appendicitis and intestinal obstruction.
The hospital group’s 365-days-a-year service manages the entire acute admissions referral process for GPs and consultants from across the UK.
At a time of increased pressure on acute services, HCA UK said it has the capacity to support admissions from both private and NHS referrers seeking care for their private medical insurance or self-pay patients, who must be over 18.
Just one call
A spokesperson said: ‘One call to HCA UK’s dedicated concierge centre – London’s first, and only, medical concierge CQC-registered clinician-led service – is all it takes.
‘From paperwork to transport, the concierge team manages the entire admissions process for referrers, where patients can be admitted within a two-hour time frame, subject to the circumstance of the referral.
‘The concierge team will also keep referrers fully informed of their patient’s treatment and progress.’
The hospital group runs a new private ambulance service, managed by the concierge team, to collect patients from their home, GP practice or an NHS or private hospital and transport them to one of its four hospitals.
Neil Buckley
Neil Buckley, vice-president of HCA UK’s Physician Services Group, said the service was much needed.
‘The 24/7 co-ordination from our medical concierge centre team and personalised patient care provided by our consultants, doctors and nurses, coupled with the launch of our new private ambulance transfer service, will ensure that patients with acute conditions receive the quick, quality care that they require.
‘No other private provider has an acute admissions service on this scale; it’s truly unparalleled.’
An on-call rota of consultant physicians across the hospital network deliver on-site rapid patient assessment supported by comprehensive medical cover in key specialties.
The hospitals have 125 ICU beds. Referrers can admit patients to HCA UK’s acute admissions service on 020 3993 4999.
The hospital group said its concierge centre team would guide GPs and consultants on appropriate referrals and each admission would be independently assessed. 999 should be rung for medical emergencies and life-threatening conditions.
Once the patient is stable and appropriate to transfer, it can facilitate a bed-to-bed transfer via private ambulance if required.