The Acute Community Service: An intensive outpatient programme for older adults in crisis

Abstract

One aspect of the NHS Long Term Plan is to establish a more comprehensive community-based mental health crisis response. NHS trusts have therefore looked to new services to help alleviate in-patient bed pressures. Intensive Outpatient Programmes (IOPs) have been previously used to help support people living with substance-misuse or eating disorders. More recently IOPs have been utilised to support people living with depression and anxiety. The Acute Community Service (ACS) was established as an IOP to support older adults in crisis by providing psychological, nursing, occupational, and physiotherapy interventions. Initial findings are consistent with previous research showing significant improvements in mood, levels of anxiety, and quality of life, with some service users being suitable for discharge to primary care. The ACS looks to build on these promising findings by working towards understanding the impact of the service on the frequency and length of in-patient admissions. Additionally, we would aim to understand the longer term impact of the ACS on service users and re-referrals rates.