The Frailty Practitioner Service that supports older people living with frailty has now seen over 500 people since the service started a year ago.
The service, which started in May 2016, aims to improve the quality of life for older people living with frailty, supporting them to live well outside hospital and consists of a team of seven Frailty Practitioners and a Nurse Consultant. The team undertakes holistic assessments and coordinates care to support the needs of people living with frailty.
Frailty Team with Dolly
Frailty Team with Pamela
Dolly was referred to the frailty team after repeated hospital stays last year. The Frailty Practitioner Service supported Dolly and her brother David through Dolly’s move to Woodside Hall Care Home in Hailsham. David said: “The frailty team has made a huge difference to Dolly and me. Since we were referred, Dolly hasn’t had to go back into hospital once. It has really taken the weight off me, knowing that Dolly is being looked after.”
In Bexhill, Pamela was referred to the frailty team after a stay in hospital with an infection. The service supported Pamela to return to St Michaels Rest Home, in Cooden where she has been a resident for 10 years by arranging antibiotics to be administered at the care home. Her close friend Jo said “it is a great service and gives people the opportunity to stay where they feel happy with support”
Sue Lyne, Nurse Consultant for Frailty and Older People said: “Our service supports older people living with frailty, like Dolly and Pamela, ensuring their longer-term care needs and wishes are respected. Since the introduction of the service we have significantly reduced inappropriate hospital admissions and reduced length of stay in hospital. By undertaking a holistic assessment of a person’s needs, we are able to identify and support them and improve their quality of life.”
The frailty team is part a service developed as part of East Sussex Better Together, which is an Alliance of all those involved in health and care throughout East Sussex.