SinglePoint is a 24/7 advice and support helpline which helps to coordinate care for those in North Essex who may be in the last year of life or who have specialist palliative care needs.
SinglePoint works alongside other health and social care services such as GPs, community nurses and hospital specialists.
Members of the public, patients, relatives, carers, GPs and other medical and health and social care professionals can also get expert advice over the phone 24/7.
For advice please phone SinglePoint on 01206 890360
Most cases can be dealt with over the phone, however in some circumstances a home visit can be offered if the need is urgent.
The SinglePoint number can also be used for referrals into St Helena services or you can refer online. Please note that when a patient is added to the My Care Choices Register they are not automatically referred to St Helena, a separate referral is required to access our services.
The SinglePoint Virtual Ward is a nurse-led service that supports patients being cared for in their own homes with intense multiple needs at a time of crisis at the end of life. The aim of this increased support is to maintain patients in their usual place of residence by offering twice daily personal care visits and to prevent inappropriate admission to an acute setting. The service can also facilitate discharge from hospital where home is the preferred place of care.
Patients are monitored regularly by a SinglePoint nurse and have access to the range of services provided by St Helena, including occupational therapy. Those caring for the patient are also supported.
Referral criteria
• The patient will be in a crisis situation at end of life as recognised by a professional.
• The crisis may be physical, social, emotional or spiritual and the enhanced care delivered by the SinglePoint Virtual Ward will give those affected the resources and support in an intensive, time framed way and help to alleviate distress for the patient and family.
• The patient’s preferred place of care will be their usual place of residence and they do not wish to be admitted to another place of care, including hospital.
• The patient is in hospital with a desire to be discharged home to die and care needs are complex and unstable.
• The patient does not have an existing care package. If they do, then a referral should be made to St Helena and support services will be arranged in the normal way.
To refer a patient please call SinglePoint on 01206 890360.