RBH pilots an emergency department for over-80s
IN a groundbreaking pilot scheme at Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, frail and elderly people are being granted an exclusive space and personalised access to specialist care.
There are concerns that conditions in the emergency department (ED) are a problem for vulnerable people and the noise and bustle is causing confusion and disorientation for many.
Therefore, the hospital has created an Older Person Emergency Department.
This new wing will have its own dedicated staff, including an occupational therapist and frailty practitioner, nurses, doctors and health support workers.
Designated patients will be directed by health professionals to the area if it is felt their treatment would most productively be continued there.
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust consultant geriatrician and clinical lead for acute medicine Dr Zac Etheridge said: “This is the next step in our ambitious work to improve and transform the way we offer services to our community.
“ED can be an extremely busy and noisy area.
“We know people in their 80s and older, and others who are living with frailty, may find this activity very disconcerting, causing confusion or worsening their health problems.
“We hope the separate area will also help ease pressure on the teams working elsewhere in ED.
“Attendances have picked up as we move out of the acute Covid stage and we’d urge everyone to remember the range of alternative options they can consider before they come to hospital.
“There’s the new Ask A&E online symptom checker, the NHS 111 online service, along with pharmacists and GPs who are available for triage and faceto-face appointments when needed.”
IN a recent survey of 3,300 West Berkshire residents, a quarter said they had volunteered during Covid-19 – and almost 80 per cent intend to continue. Reasons people gave for volunteering were wanting to do good in the community and having more time.