The service provides multidisciplinary rehabilitation to patients in their own homes for a maximum of six weeks following acute/intermediate care admission or as early intervention to prevent the need for acute admission. The main aims of the service will be:

  • Prevention of unnecessary attendance at A&E or admission to an acute setting
  • Facilitation of timely and / or early discharge from hospital
  • Prevention of avoidable dependence on long term care

Maximising Independence 

We are a community-based therapy team in Wandsworth consisting of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Rehabilitation Assistants, for adults aged 18 and above.

Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy

Our therapists provide rehabilitation for housebound patients, including in care homes, following injury, surgery, period of illness and/or deterioration. They support patients to get back to their optimum level of functioning over period of up to 6 weeks. Clear goals are set to help the individual manage their condition, improve their level of functioning and carry out everyday activities independently.

Referral Criteria 

All patients must be registered with a Wandsworth GP and be strictly housebound (including care home residents). Please ensure that the patient can engage with therapy and that clear rehabilitation goals have been identified.

Please note there are also the following specialist community services in Wandsworth:

Learning Disability Service, Community Neuro Service, Integrated Falls and Bone Health Team, Wandsworth Social services Occupational Therapy, Outpatient services.

Please indicate clearly on the referral if the referral is for Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy and if you have any of the following concerns:

  • Concerns re: hospital admission that could be prevented with therapy
  • Decline in function or mobility, including transfers, which is placing patient or care giver at risk

​​​Speech and Language Therapy

This service provides assessment, intervention and therapy for patients with swallowing and communication impairments living in the Wandsworth community with a variety of conditions including dementia, respiratory conditions and cancer.

Referral Criteria

All patients must be registered with a Wandsworth GP who are housebound and non-housebound (including care home residents).

Please note there are also the following specialist SLT services in Wandsworth:

Learning Disability Team, Community Neuro Service, Voice Therapy Service, Head and Neck Cancer Service.

Please indicate clearly on the referral if the referral is for swallowing or communication, and if you have any of the following concerns:

  • Recent chest infection in past 3 months likely to be aspiration related
  • Consistent coughing and high discomfort on oral intake
  • Concerns re: hospital admission/rapidly deteriorating patient
  • Suspected total airway obstruction (back slaps and/or Heimlich manoeuvre administered)
  • Significant weight loss and/or at risk of not meeting their nutritional and hydration requirements due to swallowing impairment

Referral forms

Wandsworth CAHS referral form
Wandsworth CAHS referral form - Trinity Hospice 

​​​​​Service Operating Times:

Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

Contact information

Email clcht.wandsworthspa@nhs.net, SPA referrer line: 0333 300 2350, SPA patient line: 0333 300 0950

Referrals accepted from:

Health professionals, social care, acute hospitals, GPs and care homes.

The service compromises a multidisciplinary team, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation assistants/ support workers, medical consultant support through an MDT, speech and language therapists and administration staff.

The team works closely with the acute, intermediate and primary care services, social and voluntary agencies, to deliver collaborative health and social care and rehabilitation.

Primary care pathways

  • Multi-disciplinary: rehabilitation/enablement through a joint MDT programme
  • Uni-disciplinary: rehabilitation/enablement with single professional input as appropriate

Patient contact details

The service operates from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm.

GPs, acute trusts, social services, voluntary services and other healthcare services can refer in to this service.

Refereral information

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

The service provides an assessment, treatment and management for any individual over 18 who is registered with a Barnet GP. The service will also accept referrals for patients registered with a GP outside the borough whose commissioning body has an agreement to provide care with CLCH services in Barnet.

Inclusion

A client will be accepted by the service where there is clear evidence to support:

  • The potential of an individual to become more independent or through support from the service to achieve improved management of their health and support needs.
  • An individuals’ willingness to work with the service and level of motivation to sustain any intervention by its staff.
  • The patients’ ability to be managed safely within the home environment.

Exclusion

  • Patients with no rehabilitation potential including lack of cognitive ability to follow rehab goals and / or not motivated to participate in rehabilitation
  • Patients who are not medically cleared for discharge and are not likely to be in the near future.
  • Patients only requiring an escort home.
  • Patients with high dependency needs, including for example:
    • A decline in mobility necessitating assistance of two to stand / transfer
    • Clients who have toileting / continence needs which have not been met
    • Clients who are homeless
    • Clients who do not live in Barnet and with whom CLCH has no reciprocal financial arrangements

Sub services of intermediate care service

  • Falls service – service based in Finchley Memorial Hospital, providing medical/MDT assessment/treatment for fallers with attendance at eight week and 12 week educational/exercise based falls programme as appropriate.
  • Early stroke discharge – designated specialist MDT to facilitate earlier discharge for stroke patients. Intervention and support will be limited to six to eight weeks.
  • Stroke review – community hospital based medical/MDT OP clinic. Patients are offered six month or 12 month review after completion of ESD or IC stroke rehabilitation.
  • Barnet stroke support services - stroke navigation, review and communication support groups offered to stroke survivors residing in Barnet.

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