The R-CAT team is a multidisciplinary team of nursing and allied health. This team provides short-term  intensive care in the community to support an early discharge or prevent a hospital admission. The service aims to provide intensive care of short duration (5-10 days) which may include more than one visit per day to improve the patient's current health to the point where they can be transferred for care by teams such as District Nursing, Allied health or Primary Health Care. 

The criteria for referral to R-CAT are patients who:

• Are 15 years and over.
• Are eligible for publicly funded healthcare.
• Have had a recent acute event or sudden change in level of function.
• Have a planned hospital discharge and there is a documented discharge summary, which outlines the plans, goals of care.
• Are housebound with a need for specialist nursing or allied health input.

Patients where:

• An immediate and intensive approach is required.
• Escalation parameters (including clinical oversight) are outlined in the event of deterioration.
• Any required ongoing education and self-management of chronic conditions has been initiated and implemented before referral to R-CAT (e.g. diabetes, cellulitis).

Exclusions are patients who reside on Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands; and patients whose primary diagnosis is mental health or obstetric/foetal.

R-CAT operates between 0730 - 22.00, 365 days a year. Phone 0800 631 1234 and ask to speak to the R-CAT team

If the patient is accepted onto R-CAT, please advise the patient that the referral was made and accepted, and to expect a phone call from the R-CAT team very soon.