An innovative new scheme is operating in the Lister Hospital Accident and Emergency department, in Hertfordshire, to relieve pressure on NHS staff.  

The in-reach scheme supports families with wider needs to avoid re-attendance unless they have a medical emergency. 

Children’s charity Barnardo’s is working in collaboration with the Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust and are trialling a ‘family support worker’ role based in the children’s emergency department.  

The family support worker facilitates  the rapid discharge of children and young people from the emergency department and offers community-based and preventative support.  

And from this month, the team will also be receiving referrals from the Primary Care Network in South Stevenage. 

This health work is partly funded thanks to support from the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. 

Rukshana Kapasi, Barnardo’s Director of Health, said: “Our aim is to work with families who don’t really need to be attending Accident and Emergency and would ordinarily be sent home. Often these people then return to A and E as the issue for them has not been resolved, yet this is placing a significant burden on teams working within the department. 

“Our support means that we can help families with a wide variety of issues from housing, safety and family problems. We can signpost to the GP and other local organisations depending on the needs of the family and we also run family centres in the area which have established local links and can provide ongoing assistance as needed.” 

Naomi Mason, Deputy Director of Operations for Children and Young People at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust said: “By providing support and care to families in the community, patients can be treated closer to home. Our joined-up approach with other healthcare partners means they can access the support they need, without needing to visit Emergency departments; the new family support worker will help patients to access these services even more efficiently.” 

The Family In-reach Support Service is available between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.