A SERVICE for A&E departments dealing with dementia patients and those with psychiatric needs is to be rolled out to Good Hope Hospital this month, saving hundreds of pounds.

The Rapid Assessment, Interface and Discharge (RAID) service will ensure that such patients will be assessed within an hour of arriving at A&E, or within 24 hours if on a ward, then referred on to the relevant service. It is thought the introduction of RAID could save the hospital thousands of pounds a year, based on saving of £245 per bed day.

The scheme was established in December 2009 and was the first service of its kind to work with an acute partner to improve patient outcomes, streamline care and, in the process, make significant savings to the public purse.

It was originally set up as an 18-month pilot scheme, but was extended in March 2011 after additional funds were secured from local commissioners to plug a £600,000 funding gap.

RAID will initially operate seven days a week between 8am and 8pm at Good Hope, but this is expected to become a round-the-clock service at the hospital later in the year.