Stop Look Care

Supporting our health and social care staff in their role across health and social care settings is a key aim for Surrey Heartlands. Carers are included in this aim too.

We want to ensure that care workers feel confident in providing the right level of care and understand the importance of their observations.

Care workers and Carers play a crucial role in recognising changes in a person’s health and wellbeing. Regular monitoring allows early identification of any signs of deterioration, ensuring that appropriate action is taken promptly.

What to look out for

The Stop Look Care resources on this page provide a comprehensive guide on what signs and symptoms to monitor. This includes physical, emotional, and mental health and wellbeing indicators that may suggest a change in a person’s condition. For example, changes in mobility, skin condition, behaviour, or mood.

What action to take

Once changes or concerns are identified, the guidance outlines the steps to take, including when to escalate concerns, how to document observations, and the importance of communicating with other health and care professionals or families. We highlight the importance of timely referrals to ensure that appropriate care is provided.

Why this matters

For care workers and Carers: The information provided equips them with the knowledge and confidence to spot early warning signs, manage care, and contribute to improving outcomes for those they support.
For families and Personal Assistants: The guidance serves as a reference to help them understand the needs of their loved ones and take proactive steps if they notice any signs of deterioration, ensuring that help and support are sought when necessary.

By fostering awareness and a proactive approach, we aim to enhance the quality of care and improve the overall health and wellbeing of individuals in care across Surrey Heartlands.

SEPSIS (Severe Infection)

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. 

It can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and even death if not recognised early and treated promptly. Screening, early intervention and immediate treatment saves lives.

If the person looks unwell or their clinical condition changes for the worse, follow the steps 1 to 3 below.

STEP 1: Could this be due to an infection?

For example:

  • Chest or lung infection
  • Water, bladder or kidney infection
  • Does the person have new tummy or belly pain
  • A new severe headache or neck pain 
  • A new red rash or swollen joint

STEP 2: Any RED flags present?

  • Objective evidence of new or altered mental state 
  • Unable to stand or they have collapsed
  • Unable to catch breath or barely able to speak
  • Very fast breathing (more than one breath every 2 seconds) 
  • Unable to feel a pulse at the wrist 
  • A fast heartbeat or palpitations (heart rate greater than 130 per minute)
  • Not passed urine in 18 hours 
  • Non-blanching rash or mottled or blue skin

STEP 3: Any AMBER flags present?

  • New confusion or is difficult to wake up
  • Fast or irregular breathing
  • A fast heartbeat or palpitations (heart rate 91-130 or new dysrhythmia)
  • Not passed urine in 12 to 18 hours
  • Temperature less than 36˚C

If any RED or AMBER flag is present

This is a time critical condition, immediate action is required:

  • Call 999 and seek advice
  • Inform ambulance call taker if the person has ‘Red Flag Sepsis’
  • Tell the paramedic team about any allergies the person may have (especially antibiotic allergies)

If time allows:

  • Find all the person’s medication they currently take and give them to the paramedic
  • Inform next-of-kin what is happening and where the patient is going