All NHS Boards now have frailty services in emergency departments
to help older and vulnerable patients as soon as they arrive -
improving care and reducing pressure on A&E departments.
On a visit to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary Acute Frailty
Unit, Health Secretary saw the impact the service is
having on patient care, including:
- the average hospital stay for those admitted to the Acute
Frailty Unit was 3.4 days - compared to a typical 17.5 day
average hospital stay for older frail patients.
- no increase in re-admissions
- two thirds of frailty patients admitted have been discharged
directly home.
Frailty services provide specialist, multidisciplinary assessment
and care for older patients where required. They are designed to
accelerate early discharge, reduce delays, and shorten hospital
stays — helping patients recover more quickly and return home
sooner.
This expansion of frailty services across the country is backed
by a share of the £200 million investment from the 2025-26
Budget, aimed at reducing waiting times, improving hospital flow,
and minimising delayed discharges.
After his visit, Health Secretary said:
“The success of the frailty service here in Dumfries and Galloway
is something we are replicating across Scotland. By shifting the
balance of care from acute hospitals to community-based services,
we can ensure that people experiencing frailty are supported
earlier - whether through GP referral or direct access via the
Scottish Ambulance Service.
“This is about making sure people get the right care, in the
right place, at the right time.
“The work being done here is making a real difference,
particularly for older patients, with average length of stay
reduced by 14 days and no increase in re-admissions.
“Improving patient flow is a key priority, and services like this
show how targeted, well-coordinated care can lead to better
outcomes.”
Chief Operating Officer of NHS Dumfries and Galloway Nicole
Hamlet said:
“This work is making a real and measurable difference. By
reducing unnecessary time in hospital, we're helping people get
home or to a homely setting safely and sooner. It also frees up
vital capacity in the hospital, which helps us deliver better
care across the board. I'm very proud of what the team has
achieved.”
“The project builds on previous frailty work in Dumfries and
Galloway and continues to evolve with input from those delivering
the care. The team is supported by Dumfries and Galloway Health
and Social Care Partnership's management team and project leads.”
Background
NHS Board hears of service
results and progress towards key target
