Intermediate Care and Frailty Service (HICaFS) – Halton

General introduction

The Intermediate Care and Frailty Service (HICaFS) has replaced the NHS services previously provided in Halton by the Rapid Access Rehabilitation Service (RARS), the Capacity and Demand Team, and the Halton Integrated Frailty Service (HIFS).

HICaFS brings these services together to provide coordinated, responsive support for people with frailty or complex needs.

The main elements of the service include:

clinical triage
initial triage of presenting patients by an appropriate clinician
treatment and admission‑avoidance care plans
advanced care planning
clinical medication review
optimising physical function
discharge planning
supporting self‑care and patient education

The normal working hours for this service are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Sunday.

How to access this service

The service can be accessed through a referral from health professionals, social services, voluntary agencies, or by self‑referral if you have previously been seen by the service.

Please complete the Halton Intermediate Care referral form to make a referral.

Please complete our Halton Intermediate Care referral form.

Inclusion criteria:

people over 18 years with complex health needs
people over 18 years who have experienced a rapid deterioration in health or function which does not need secondary care as a result
people over 18 years who require rapid intervention and a timely intensive care package
people over 18 years who require access to time-limited care and support
people who require a rapid multidisciplinary approach to their care
referrals from the ambulance service to assist and assess patients who have fallen
referrals from the ambulance service for people who can remain at home with the correct support
referrals from hospital for people who can continue their care at home with the correct support

The team also supports patients in community intermediate care beds and works with managed care teams to integrate care.