Access to Community Services Team (ACST)
Access to Community Services Team (ACST)
Patient Information
Access to Community Service Team
Author ID: LM
Leaflet Ref: ACST 001
Version: 7
Leaflet title: Access to Community Service Team
Date Produced: July 2023
Expiry Date: July 2025
Access to Community Services Team
The Access to Community Services Team (ACST) is based at Wigan Royal Albert Edward Infirmary. We are a team of Nurses, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists and we are available seven days a week between the hours of 8am to 6pm.
Our aim is to support your safe discharge from hospital once you have been assessed by a doctor and are deemed medically well. We can work together with you to access a range of services to ensure that your discharge from hospital is as safe as possible.
Discharge straight home may be possible with support from ACST or other services provided in the community. Examples of support may include short term assistance with activities of daily living, such as personal care, or short-term provision of aids/equipment to maximise independence and safety at home.
Sometimes we may find that discharge straight home is not the safest option, and in this case, we may discuss transfer to our residential rehabilitation facilities. This is a place where you can stay for a period of time to allow you to work with Nurses, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists to improve your abilities, in order to return home safely.
If either of these options are unsuitable, we can access a Social Worker to carry out an assessment of your needs.
Who is eligible for the service?
The service is available to all patients over the age of 18 years.
What if I have a problem after I have been discharged?
If you have any concerns, questions, or experience any difficulties after your discharge, please contact our Single Point of Access Team (01942 481221). They can assist you by providing access to the advice and support you require.
If you have any concerns or problems once you have returned home, please contact us, telephone 01942 481221 (8am to 8pm).
If out of these hours (8am to 8pm) please contact:
NHS 111 – Telephone 1 1 1
Social Services – Telephone 01942 828777