Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust has launched a new service, the Single Point of Access (SPA), which provides GPs and other healthcare professionals with a quick and easy way of referring patients to the Trust’s community health services eg community therapy and community nursing.  This new service can be used for any referral to community health services but is ideally suited in circumstances where patients require multiple referrals or where the GP or healthcare professional is unsure as to the exact service they need to refer to.

GPs and other healthcare professionals can continue to make referrals through existing routes eg directly to the service, should they prefer to do so.

The new service is available 7 days a week, between 8am and 8pm, 365 days of the year.  It is staffed by a team of experienced clinicians who come from a variety of community settings and who have extensive experience and knowledge of current practices within Oxford Health NHS FT.

The aim of the SPA is to make referrals to community services easier, more efficient and to ensure that care is provided by the most appropriate person and service according to the patient’s needs.  The SPA team will complete the referral process over the telephone, resulting in a reduction in the amount of electronic or paper referral forms, ensuring a quicker and smoother hand over of care.  The team will then evaluate the patient’s needs before linking with services to discuss the referral, agree an action plan and ensure a safe handover of care.

To make a referral to the SPA team please telephone:  01865 903 750

For further information about the Single Point of Access service please contact OxfordHealth.SPA@nhs.net