The East Lothian Care Home Team (ELCHT) is a unique, nurse-led service comprised of NHS Lothian workers. We lead the medical management of nursing home residents and patients throughout East Lothian, working in close partnership with General Practitioners and community mental health teams to deliver high-quality care.
Our Philosophy
Our service is built on a “person-centered” approach. We are committed to ensuring that clinical assessments and treatments are safe, effective, and delivered with compassion and competence. We prioritize:
- Dignity and Confidentiality: Maintaining the highest standards for every patient.
- Individual Wishes: Planning care that respects personal preferences and needs.
- Collaboration: Involving nursing home staff and relatives in the care planning process.
Our Team
The ELCHT is a specialized group with a dedicated interest in the medicine of the elderly. Our staff come from diverse professional backgrounds within the NHS, including:
- Acute medical services
- Community nursing
- General practice
- Medicine of the elderly
By providing timely medical care within nursing homes, our team helps ease the strain on local GP services across the county.
What We Do
Our Nurse Practitioners are highly trained to manage the complex health needs of residents. Key responsibilities include:
- Weekly Medical Rounds: Conducting regular reviews in collaboration with nursing home staff.
- Clinical Care: Assessing, diagnosing, and initiating medical treatments, including prescribing medications.
- Acute Management: Taking responsibility for residents who become acutely unwell.
- Anticipatory Care Planning: Working with families and residents to create plans that ensure their wishes are known and followed if their health changes.
- GP Collaboration: Holding weekly meetings with lead GPs for advice on complex cases and maintaining access to GP support during surgery hours.
Contacting the Team
If you are a relative and wish to speak with a member of the team regarding a resident’s health, please contact us to arrange an appointment.
- Phone: 0131 446 4043
- Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm (excluding public holidays)