The Single Point of Access (SPA) is a service that manages patient referrals from health professionals into all community health services. It is available 365 days a year, from 8 am to 10pm.
SPA accepts referrals seven days a week from 0800 to 2200 hours. Between 22:00 and 08:00 hours calls are transferred to the GP Collaborative (GPC) who are based at the Norther General Hospital.
The Single Point of Access team possess extensive local knowledge and specialist healthcare expertise and has access to up-to-date information on service capacity, so they are able to advice on what service is the most appropriate for patients.
By being able to quickly mobilise support, the service helps to prevent patients being admitted into hospital unnecessarily and supports early discharges. Once referred to a service, confirmation is sent to referrers to ensure they are kept informed of which service is caring for their patients and to enable them to track their progress, if required.
Single Point of Access
Community House
Vickers Corridor
The Northern General Hospital
Herries Road
Sheffield
S5 7AU
0114 226 6566 / 0114 271 3766 for healthcare professionals
Email: sth.spa@nhs.net
GPs can send referrals to the SPA by letter or telephone (details above)