About the service

Referring a patient

Patients will only be placed in the scheme where the referring practice can demonstrate the following:

• The patient is registered at the practice as a permanent or temporary resident.
• The patient has committed either an act of physical or non-physical assault towards a staff, another patients, or visitor to the surgery.
• The incident occurred on the premises, or in the place where services were provided to the patient under the GMS contract.
• Confirmation that the incident has been reported to the police. In accordance with the GMS regulations 2004.

Following an incident that meets the above criteria for inclusion into the scheme, the practice may complete the All Wales ATS Incident Report form and send this to the Cardiff and Vale Primary Care Team who will collate the necessary information and pass this to the ATS panel. The panel will  assess the information given and decide on whether the referral is to be accepted or rejected. There is an appeals process should the referring practice disagree with the panel decision.

During the appointment

The service operates from the CAVHIS/Out of Hours clinic on a Thursday between the hours of 4pm and 6:30pm only.

During the appointment patients will have full access to GP care, including the need for medication and repeat prescriptions. If the patient requires a referral to another service they GP will refer them on as appropriate. 

Should individuals need access to care outside the hours the service is open, they will need to contact CAV24/7.

What happens next

After the initial 12 months, the ATS panel meet to formally risk assess the patient with regards to being discharged from the service.  If the risk assessment is low, then they may be discharged from the scheme and provided with information to support them registering with a new GP.