NHS opens its first A&E unit just for elderly

THE NHS is to open its first Accident & Emergency unit for elderly patients amid fears that casualty units are making the frail wait too long for help.

Patients over 80 years old arriving at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital will go to the older people’s emergency department.

Senior doctors said the unit aims to reduce waiting times by ensuring elderly patients are assessed quickly. The unit and its team of geriatricians, A&E consultants and specialist nurses, will be able to see about 50 patients every day.

Mark Davies, the hospital’s chief executive, said it was a “massive step forward” in improving emergency care, and a similar expansion was planned for children.

Dr Martyn Patel, consultant for older people’s medicine, said: “Norfolk is home to one of the largest populations of older people in country. We’ve got to ensure they are able to receive the best care in a timely manner.” Dr Frankie Swords, head of medicine at the trust, said: “For older patients, we know that the earlier we can assess a patient, the quicker we can get them back to full health, regain their independence and avoid hospital admission.”

Patients’ groups welcomed the scheme. Caroline Abrahams, of Age UK, said: “The earlier an older patient is assessed the better. We are delighted to hear about this.”

Under the plans, an older people’s assessment service will allows GPS to book appointments with a specialist geriatrician within 48 hours of referral.

Last month NHS inspectors warned that the number of older patients stuck in hospital for lack of social care meant many could suffer muscle wastage and become unnecessarily frailer.

Prof Ted Baker, chief inspector of hospitals, said: “If you put a frail elderly person in an acute hospital bed and they stay there too long, they lose their ability to lead an independent life.

“They lose their muscle strength; they often lose their bone strength and they often become much frailer.”