Our COPAT service

Our COPAT service currently runs Monday to Friday, 0800 to 1600, although it is hoped that it will expand to a 7-day service soon.

This means that there are many more out-of-office than in-office hours each week and it is therefore important that robust arrangements are in place for patients who develop clinical problems or concerns related to their therapy or infection.

Patients receive an information sheet when commencing therapy that provides a range of contact options, depending on the nature and severity of the problem/concern:

• An out-of-hours text message number for the “COPAT mobile” for non-urgent enquiries for a next working day response.

• A contact number for the hospital’s infection ward for nurse and on-call medical team advice.

• Out-of-hours general practitioner or the hospital’s Emergency Department for a rapid deterioration in clinical condition or other urgent problems.

It is particularly important that out-of-hours nurses and doctors, who may not cover the COPAT service in office hours, are aware of and understand their out-of-hours responsibilities. Having a clear plan for out-of-hours is reassuring for patients.