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Early intervention team

The early intervention team (EIT) support and provide medical care to patients across west Suffolk.

The EIT is made up of health and care professionals that work together with voluntary services to provide care and support for you.

We may have helped you to avoid having to go into hospital, go home after being treated in the emergency department or be supporting you after a short stay in the acute assessment unit. Or you may have been referred by paramedics, a GP, or other healthcare professionals in the community.

The team is hosted by West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and is delivered in partnership with Suffolk County Council, Anglia Care Trust and Suffolk Family Carers

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Services we provide

The early intervention team can support you in hospital or at home, helping you stay independent and avoid unnecessary admission or readmission. Our services include:

  • Same-day assessments of mobility and how you're managing day-to-day activities
  • Provision of equipment to help with everyday tasks at home
  • Urgent nursing support, including out-of-hours care to help avoid hospital admission
  • Emergency end-of-life support to help people remain at home, including nursing, therapy, equipment and care
  • Emergency reablement care packages arranged quickly to support you at home
  • Specialist assessment and treatment from our Rapid Intervention Vehicle (paramedic and therapist team)
  • Help with personal care needs such as washing, dressing, toileting and meal preparation
  • Support for safe discharge from hospital, working with you and your family to plan next steps
  • Involvement of carers, next of kin or care home in your care planning
  • Referrals to other community services or support agencies as needed
  • Information and advice about services that can support you at home
  • Follow-up phone calls after discharge to check how you’re getting on and offer further support or equipment if needed

When you are seen by the EIT you will be asked for consent for our intervention during your time in hospital. We will respect your decision to withdraw your consent to our treatment at any time. All information about patients is confidential and where appropriate is covered by General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You may be assessed or treated by a student, who is accountable to a senior member of the team. However, if you prefer not to be treated by a student, you have the right to decline.

The staff supporting you

The early intervention team includes:

  • community nurses
  • social workers
  • occupational therapists
  • physiotherapists
  • specialist paramedics
  • assistant practitioners
  • reablement support workers (carers)
  • British Red Cross support workers
  • Suffolk Family Carers link worker.

The team also work closely with the dementia intensive support team and St Nicholas Hospice.

Contact the early intervention team

If you would like to make a referral to the early intervention team or have a query, please either call 0300 123 2425 (open 24 hours).

Email: suffolk.ccc@esneft.nhs.uk

Our therapists are available Monday to Friday between 8.30am – 9.00pm. On weekends and Bank Holidays, this is between 9.00am – 6.00pm.

If you are unwell whilst you are at home, phone your GP in the usual way or call 111 if your GP practice is closed.

Where to find us

The early intervention team office is located on the ground floor of West Suffolk Hospital, however our teams mostly work out in the community.

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