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.
Urgent referrals: Please call 087 407 3749 for urgent cases. Please avoid sharing this number with patients or relatives to ensure effective triaging.
Non-urgent referrals: Please send non-urgent referrals via email to EDITH@svhg.ie
Appointment enquiries: For appointment checks, GPs, patients, or relatives can contact Daphnie Layugan, GP Liaison Nurse, ED directly.