Community Rapid Response Service (ComRRS)

The Community Rapid Response Service (ComRRS) provides health care for people who are at risk of needing to go to the hospital with an acute illness, injury, or deterioration of a pre-existing condition.

People are referred to Community Rapid Response Service by their General Practitioner and can expect a response from a ComRRS nurse within 4 hours of referral.

ComRRS does not replace an ambulance call when the condition is critical and/or an urgent response is required.

A Nurse Practitioner, community nurses, the person’s usual General Practitioner, and other health professionals as required, such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists all plan care together with the person referred.

Care can be delivered to people in their homes or other appropriate settings in the community such as residential aged care facilities. There is no cost for the service, other than the usual GP visit and prescription costs.

Some examples of health conditions treated by ComRRS include (but are not limited to):

• Acute injury or illness e.g. falls, influenza, gastro
• Exacerbation of chronic health conditions e.g. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, heart failure, diabetes
• Infections e.g. respiratory tract, cellulitis, urinary
• Nutritional deficiencies e.g. anaemia, dehydration
• Acute renal or urinary conditions e.g. acute urinary retention
• Palliative Care.

Some examples of treatments include (but are not limited to):

• Rapid assessment with direct feedback to the GP
• Intravenous antibiotics
• Medication management or infusions
• Intravenous or subcutaneous fluid
• Central venous access device management and support e.g., PICC, Hickmans, and Infusaport
• Urinary catheter management.