EDITH (Emergency Department in the Home)
EDITH is a frailty response service, providing emergency medical and occupational therapy input to adults aged 65 and over in the SVUH catchment area seven days a week (8am – 6pm) who have been referred to the service by GP, Emergency Services or nursing home. The at-home service includes a full medical and targeted functional assessment by a doctor and occupational therapist including mobile ECGs and bloods. EDITH was established to provide a patient-centred approach to ED care, with the aim also of reducing unnecessary ED attendances. This allows ED resources to be redistributed and to release bed days back into the SVUH healthcare system.
EDITH accepts referrals from local GPs and other community-based HCPs through a geriatrician hotline. Referrals are also accepted from Nursing Homes, the National Ambulance Service (NAS), and from our ED team. Referrals received can be related, but not limited to, falls, delirium, wound reviews, pain management, infections, functional decline or catheter-related issues. All accepted patients receive a once-off visit, however many patients will then be referred or sign-posted to relevant community services.
GP Referral details (calls will be triaged)
Geriatrician hot line: 087 6391954.
For urgent and non-urgent cases and referrals: Please call Switch on 01 221 4000, who will direct you to the EDITH mobile.
(Please note: the EDITH mobile number is strictly for GP calls. Patient or family queries will not be dealt with through this number. If you are not a GP, please do not request to be put through to this number.)
Appointment enquiries: For appointment checks, GPs, patients, or relatives can contact Daphnie Layugan, GP Liaison Nurse, ED directly.