Darlington Rapid Response team are shortlisted for an award!

The team, who provides short term emergency care for people across the town, has been nominated for a Great British Care Award.

The 14-strong team is in the running to become care team of the year.

As well as the essential work the team does on a day-to-day basis, workers proved just how unflappable they are this year after having to perform CPR after a woman suffered a heart attack during their visit, providing help until an ambulance arrived.

Team leader Becky Liddle said it was all in a day’s work for the carers, whose current mantra is “mask up and carry on”.

She said: “Many providers were reluctant to work with people with coronavirus symptoms, especially in the early days.

“But our team has faced the increased demand and risks with courage and pride.”

The rapid response team provide urgent home care support, which may often allow people to leave hospital sooner or prevent people from being admitted in the first place.

At other times, they are called in when someone who needs care services to remain at home is left in the lurch or when there has been a breakdown in a relationship with another care organisation.4

Ms Liddle said the team had not let the pandemic crush the spirit of members.

She added: “Increasingly, people are leaving hospital with very basic support plans.

“We assess each person and make a referral if we feel they require a greater degree of care or any special equipment.

“We are all aware that we might be the only person someone sees all day and we strive to make our visit as enjoyable as possible.

Becky said the team had not let the pandemic crush the spirit of members. She added: “Increasingly, people are leaving hospital with very basic support plans.

“We assess each person and make a referral if we feel they require a greater degree of care or any special equipment.

“We are all aware that we might be the only person someone sees all day and we strive to make our visit as enjoyable as possible.”

The rapid response team, based in Rosemary Court, operates as part of Darlington Extra Care, which is available to adults living in the town who do not need or want to move into long-term care, but require care and support from a trained care team.

They provide a range of specialist services, including peg-feeding, stoma care and end of life care.

Darlington Rapid Response Service will find out next year if they have won a Great British Care Award. The event for the North-East will take place in Newcastle in May.