REACH

REACH is a program to support patients, carers and families to raise concerns with staff about worrying changes in a patient’s condition.

A REACH call prompts an urgent clinical review of a deteriorating patient by a senior health worker. This should occur within 30 minutes. Where concerns about a patient’s condition aren’t resolved, an independent review can be activated by calling a unique REACH phone number at the hospital.

REACH stands for:

• Recognise – You notice a worrying change
• Engage – Talk to the nurse or doctor
• Act – Ask for a clinical review if you’re still concerned
• Call – Call the hospital’s REACH number to escalate your concerns
• Help – A senior health worker will respond

REACH supports partnership between patients, carers, families and health workers to make sure concerns about deterioration are heard and acted on. It works alongside existing processes and is available in all NSW public hospitals.

Please note you cannot make a REACH call to the Clinical Excellence Commission.