The NHS is to open its first A&E unit specially for elderly patients amid widespread fears they are waiting too long to be seen.
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital announced the pioneering plans to stop the frail having to endure delayed stays.
Beginning later this month, patients over the age of 80 will be sent directly to the hospital’s older people’s emergency department.
They will be met by a team of consultants and nurses – similar to that of a traditional A&E, as well as geriatrics who specialise in looking after the elderly.
The plans, believed to be the first in the country, have been dubbed a ‘massive step forward’ in slashing waiting times – which are some of the worst on record.
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital announced the pioneering plans to stop the frail having to endure delayed stays
The move follows warnings by NHS inspectors that some elderly patients are being condemned to a life of frailty because so many are stuck in hospital.
Commenting on the plans, Mark Davies, hospital chief executive, said: ‘This is a massive step forward in enhancing emergency care.’
He added that the innovative scheme shows they are ‘committed to providing the best possible care for patients’.
How will it help?
As part of the plans, elderly patients will then be given a quick assessment, allowing them to receive the correct treatment immediately.
This would prevent them from having to spend long times in hospital – slashing their risk of frailty, which is linked to heart disease, diabetes and dementia.
Inspectors have long been concerned that delayed response times in A&E for the older population leads to a loss of muscle and bone strength.
The worries prompted the Care Quality Commission to warn last month that keeping elderly patients stuck in hospital is condemning many to frailty.
Professor Ted Baker, chief inspector of hospitals, said: ‘They lose their muscle strength they often lose their bone strength and they often become much frailer.’
Dr Martyn Patel, consultant for older people’s medicine, said: ‘Norfolk is home to one of the largest populations of older people in country, which is continuing to grow at a fast rate.
‘This means we’ve got to do something no-one else has done before in the UK, to ensure our older patients are able to receive the best care most appropriate to their needs in a timely manner.’
How many people will it help?
It is estimated that around 50 patients over the age of 80 require urgent help at the hospital’s A&E department each day.
The hospital, which opened in 2004, serves the western outskirts of Norwich and the surrounding villages and towns.
An expansion to triple the size of the hospital’s paediatric A&E care is also planned for the coming weeks, directors revealed.
Dr Frankie Swords, chief of division for medicine said: ‘This is great news for our hospital, our patients and our staff.
‘I’m delighted to be able to announce these improvements for our youngest and oldest patients in time for the winter.
‘For older patients, we know the earlier we can assess a patient, the quicker we can get them back to full health, regain their independence and avoid hospital admission.’
‘Humanitarian crisis’
The move comes after the NHS’ worst winter in recent years, which the Red Cross described as a ‘humanitarian crisis’.
An ageing population has been blamed for a surge in demand, while cuts to social care and staff shortages have fueled the problem.
Cuts to social care have only worsened poor A&E waiting times, by allowing for bed-blockers who have nowhere else to turn to.