An innovative NHS team that has led improvements in care for older and frail adults has been shortlisted for an award celebrating excellence in health care.
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust’s Frailty Intervention Team have been recognised in the Transforming Care for Older People category at the national HSJ Awards, for creating a sustainable model of care that has reduced hospital admissions of older people by 67 per cent and significantly improving outcomes for patients.
The Frailty Intervention Team (FIT) was established in 2020 with the aim of addressing the complex healthcare challenges older people often face.
The multidisciplinary team, made up of advanced clinical practitioners, geriatricians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and therapy assistants, has supported the development of frailty services within the Trust, including a Frailty Same Day Emergency Care unit that delivers specialist care and comprehensive geriatric assessments away from the busy A&E environment.
Other improvements the team have worked on include adopting an international frailty scale and creating a digital assessment form to standardise care for older adults who come to the Emergency Department and developing a specialised bone health service to address osteoporosis and fracture prevention to further improve outcomes for patients.
Advanced Clinical Practitioner Emma Hibbs, who has played a key role in shaping and guiding the Frailty Intervention Team, said: “Our aim has always been to provide timely, compassionate, and effective support to the local older population that takes into consideration the patient’s priorities, whether that’s staying at home, avoiding hospital or maintaining daily activities.
“This team has demonstrated that person-led care can greatly enhance the experience of our patients and their families and carers.
“They have shown tireless commitment and are truly deserving of this recognition.”
Lee Whitehouse, whose 86-year-old mother Margaret has received care from the FIT team on the Frailty Same Day Emergency Care Unit said: “The team have been brilliant, and we have been very happy with them. The communication from them has been fantastic and they’ve explained the plan for my mother’s discharge and care very well.”
The winners of the HSJ Awards will be announced at a ceremony in London on 20 November.