Supporting Wolverhampton patients beyond the Emergency Department

Patients needing urgent and emergency care services at New Cross Hospital will be offered “more holistic” support, beyond their immediate medical need, as part of a new pilot scheme.

Nurses Rongie Corbita and Christina Overton have become The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust’s (RWT) first Specialist Support Navigators, with the role believed to be the first of its kind in the West Midlands.

Aligned to the NHS 10 Year Plan, the scheme looks to keep people safe and well at home – ensuring they receive help in the community to prevent any future trips to hospital.

The duo will be supporting patients with long-term recovery from issues such as addiction and homelessness. The roles have been developed as a partnership between RWT and the City of Wolverhampton Council.

Christian explained: “For many patients who turn up at the Emergency Department (ED) there’s often more going on for them than the initial broken bone or injury.

“We’re here to provide a service to those who are vulnerable so they can make positive, lasting changes. Because if you can’t signpost to the necessary agencies, then there’s a risk the door of ED becomes a revolving door with any underlying issues – that potentially led them there in the first place – never being properly addressed.”

The support will vary from leaflets, with details of local charities and agencies, to advocating for patients during telephone or in-person appointments.

Rongie added: “It’s a non-judgemental service, with a psychological/social approach to care which means we’re looking at the bigger picture for that person and not just the medical side.

“Patients should be able to feel comfortable to confide in us, as only then can we point them in the right direction.”

Working alongside ED staff, and their existing pathways, Rongie and Christina will raise awareness of the key signs to look out for and the important questions to ask – helping to identify any issues relating to substance use, housing, financial wellbeing and more.

Rongie, who has a background in Clinical Education and Intensive Care, explains how he is excited to have an impact on a “wider scale.”

He explained: “I used to see six or seven patients a day on the Intensive Care Unit, but this means I can help in much larger numbers.

“For me – an interaction is already an intervention. You don’t need to have superpowers; you just need to be willing to listen. I’m keen to get started.”

Christina, who has worked in the Trust’s Emergency Department 14 years, said: “I personally am looking forward to building strong relationships with the patients, and having that quality time to pause and just have a conversation.”

The team will monitor for trends and patterns and will adjust their support accordingly, while patients will be asked to feedback on if they felt heard and understood by the healthcare professionals.

Carolyn Musgrave, Drugs and Alcohol Team Lead and Specialist Support Navigator Lead, said: “The NHS 10 Year Plan focuses on collaboration between national bodies and local services to enhance patient care, increase efficiency, and address health inequalities.

“Well done RWT, in tandem with City of Wolverhampton Council, for pioneering this work.”

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “We are delighted to funding this important pilot which directly supports the ambitions of our Health & Wellbeing Board to create a fairer, healthier Wolverhampton.

“When people come to A&E in crisis, it is often because the underlying pressures in their lives have not been addressed early enough.

“By tackling the wider causes of poor health – including housing, finances, addiction, and mental wellbeing – we are not only supporting individuals, but also building resilience in our communities and reducing health inequality across the city.”

The service, which will operate from Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm, launches tomorrow (Tuesday 4 November 2025).