A pioneering team of doctors, nurses and therapists at the RUH has been shortlisted for an award for its work in supporting frail elderly people to remain at home rather than being admitted to hospital.
The ‘Frailty Flying Squad’ works in the RUH’s Emergency Department and Medical Assessment Unit to identify older patients who, with some intensive assessment and treatment, have the opportunity to return into the community rather than staying in hospital.
The team has been shortlisted in the ‘Care of Older People’ category of the Nursing Times Awards 2017.
Consultant geriatrician Genevieve Robson said: “We work at the hospital front door to assess people and make all the arrangements, if possible, to allow them to stay at home where they would rather be, instead of being admitted to a ward.
“Sometimes hospital is the best place to be. However, It’s proven that bed-rest in hospital can cause rapid loss of strength for an older person, leading to a deterioration in their health increasing their long-term health needs.
“If we can get patients home quickly, without being admitted to hospital, and a safety net of family support there to help them, it’s so rewarding to see.”
The team will learn if it has won the award at The Nursing Times ceremony in London on 2nd November 2017.
