Older person's rapid access clinic (OPRAC)
Contact
- Outpatients appointments
- 020 3311 5162
- Advice for GPs
- 020 3311 5162
Visitor Information
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The older person's rapid access clinic (OPRAC) is a specialised service designed to meet the needs of older people with specific medical problems.
This is a medicine for the elderly (MfE) consultant-led service that offers emergency department-style access to tests and diagnostics and provides dedicated treatment in a setting adapted for treating frail older patients. There is quick and easy access to the expertise of other specialties within the acute hospital setting.
We also see older people who may have an urgent diagnostic dilemma. For example, if a patient is suffering from breathlessness or weight loss, we have the time and resources to explore the potential causes and either eliminate the cause or treat the patient accordingly.
Conditions and treatments
We provide general medical treatment at a consultant level for up to three patients a day. We also offer rapid diagnostic testing when required, including x-rays, CT scans or ultrasounds. We treat:
- recent weight loss
- sudden worsening of memory problems
- unexplained decline in mobility
- (patients with) several long-term conditions that have decompensated
Clinics
The older person's rapid access clinic (OPRAC) is designed to meet the needs of older people with specific medical problems and reduce their time in hospital.
OPRAC
Address
OPRAC service
Clinical decisions unit
Ground floor
Charing Cross Hospital
Fulham Palace Road
London W6 8RF
Hours
09.00 to 17.00, Monday through Friday
Contact information
Phone: 020 3311 5162
Email: ICHC-TR.ADVICEELDERLYMEDICINE-IMPERIAL@NHS.NET
Meet the team
Consultants for OPRAC and frailty
Dr Claire Solomon
Dr Suneil Shukla
Patient information
Before your appointment
You are welcome to bring a family member, friend, guardian or carer to your appointment. Please dress in comfortable clothing and bring any medication you are taking. If you cannot bring all of your medications, a list of medications is fine. You are welcome to ask for a chaperone for your appointment and we will endeavour to provide one for you.
If you need transport to and from the hospital, please contact the clinic administrator on 020 3311 5162. Please see our transportation section for more information.
During your appointment
When you arrive at the hospital, please go to the clinical decisions unit where you will find the acute frailty unit and OPRAC. You will normally be asked to arrive in the morning and should expect to stay for most of the day. This is to provide for tests to be taken and results provided and reviewed over the course of the day. Meals are provided during your visit.
Our aim is to ensure all investigations and specialist opinions are sought on the same day to avoid you making numerous trips to hospital, although occasionally further investigations or reviews may be necessary.
During your visit, you may:
- be sent for a scan (eg x-rays, CT scan or ultrasound)
- see another specialist (for example a surgeon, a respiratory physician or a cardiologist)
- be reviewed by a social worker
- receive intravenous (into the vein – IV) therapy (eg blood transfusion, intravenous iron)
You will be greeted by a junior doctor who will take blood tests and talk to you about your problems. You will then be reviewed by the consultant at around midday. You will also receive a comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy review and specialist opinions where appropriate. A management plan will be laid out after the review. You should be seen by the first doctor within half an hour.
Please note that we are a teaching hospital, so medical students may be present for some appointments. If you do not wish to have them in the room please let the nurse or doctor know and the students will be asked to step outside.
After your appointment
You will usually go home the same day with a diagnosis and a management plan in place, which may involve a change to your medication or community rehabilitation.
We may refer you to another specialist team for further management. If you are acutely unwell we may recommend that you are admitted to hospital straight from clinic. The team will arrange this from the unit without the need to attend A&E.
You and your GP will receive a summary of the clinic visit including all test results within 48 hours and will be able to further discuss your on-going management. Do let the team know if you would like anyone else to receive a copy, such as other health professionals or a next of kin.
Refer to this service
GPs
Please use NHS e-Referrals to refer a patient to our older person's rapid access clinic service.
If you would like the patient to be seen within 48 hours, you must call the advice line and discuss your patient with a consultant. Following this call, if a referral is required, please download and complete our OPRAC referral form and attach it to your e-RS referral.
OPRAC is a referral assessment service (RAS), so you cannot directly book an appointment slot for your patients. Our team of consultants will review your referral, book the most appropriate appointment for your patient, and contact the patient directly with their appointment details. You can access the OPRAC service via e-Referrals using RAS number 7938704.
If you have trouble downloading our referral form, please right-click and save the document to download it.
GP advice
If you have any questions about a patient or a referral, please contact us.
Phone: 020 3311 5162
Email: ICHC-tr.adviceelderlymedicine-imperial@nhs.net