As a result of this, a decision-making tool has been produced for LAS staff to observe which clearly articulates the circumstances when crews should contact practices. These are agreed as the following situations:
- End of life care.
- Information sharing regarding/surrounding a safeguarding referral.
- Expected death.
- GP admission request where on arrival of the LAS crew the patient is refusing conveyance which the patient’s GP has arranged.
For all other situations there are clear processes for ambulance crews to follow including accessing internal LAS clinical support and advice. This messaging is being reinforced at weekly LAS verbal team briefings and is incorporated into the London Ambulance Service Draft Winter 2024 Plan which London ICBs have visibility of.
LAS crews will not telephone a patient’s GP to notify of any incidental findings identified during the LAS assessment. The incidental finding will be shared with details of the London Care Record or via an electronic form. The patient will be advised by the LAS crew to contact the GP for a routine follow up.
Londonwide LMCs and Surrey and Sussex LMCs will continue to meet with LAS, practices are encouraged to highlight any requests received from LAS which are outside of this guidance via your local LMC representatives so that they can be fed back to LAS colleagues.