National recognition for frailty project’s work

A PROJECT to help frail patients get the best treatment and avoid long hospital stays has garnered national recognition.

NHS Fife’s frailty project, a first north of the border, got top billing at the NHS Scotland Event 2017, which took place at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre.

The frailty assessment service at the Victoria Hospital brings together staff across a number of areas.

Specialist consultants, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and social workers work closely to identify the issue in patients at the earliest opportunity. They can then make sure they are given the right treatment in the best place.

The team’s work was showcased to hundreds of delegates at the event.

NHS Fife older people nurse consultant Joy Reid has been at the forefront of the changes.

She said: “People are generally living longer and we continue to see growing numbers of elderly patients, many of whom are likely to be affected by the condition.

“Frail patients tend to stay in hospital for longer periods and we know from research that the longer you stay in hospital, the less positive the outcome is.

“By working closely with colleagues in social care, it is ensuring patients get the right treatment in the right place and at the right time.”

Chief operating officer for acute services, Professor Scott McLean, added: “We are really proud of our approach to frailty and are delighted it has once again come to national prominence. Changes were introduced towards the end of 2015 as part of a wider redesign of acute care and they have made a real difference to the experiences of our frailer patients.”

Victoria Hospital