County Hospital frailty service shortlisted for national Parliamentary award
A specialist service at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) which helps older patients avoid unnecessary stays in hospital has been shortlisted for a national Parliamentary award.
The Frailty Assessment Unit (FAU) at County Hospital, Stafford, has been named as a finalist in the ‘Parliamentarian’s Choice’ category of the Parliamentary Pathfinder NHS Innovation Adoption Awards after being nominated by the office of Leigh Ingham MP for Stafford.
The unit opened in November 2024 to provide specialist care for older patients attending County Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) with a team of doctors, nurses, therapists, pharmacists and social care working together to assess patients and help them return home as quickly and safely as possible.
Dr Alice Holt, emergency medical consultant, said: “For the team this recognition is a real celebration of what can be achieved through collaboration, innovation and a shared determination to improve care for people living with frailty.
“We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved at County Hospital and most importantly of the difference we are striving to make for our patients and their families.”
Latest figures show 86 per cent of patients referred to the service return home the same day, with an average stay of just 4.1 hours, helping to prevent around 25 hospital admissions and save more than 200 bed days every week.
Leigh Ingham MP said: "Excellent work is being done by the Frailty Assessment Unit at County Hospital to support older residents in our communities. I was very happy to nominate the team, and I’m so pleased that they are getting the recognition they deserve. Here’s hoping for the win!
Professor Aruna Garcia, deputy chief medical officer, said: “We are delighted that the FAU has received national recognition. This shortlisting reflects the dedication of colleagues who have worked together to improve care for people living with frailty.”
Claire Hopley, workstream management lead for the County Hospital Strategic Programme, said: “What started as an idea has taken a huge amount of work and persistence to become the service we have today. The team has always kept patients at the centre, so it is fantastic to see their hard work recognised nationally.”
Following two successful pilots FAU secured permanent funding as a five-day service and has continued to develop, including recently introducing specialist pharmacy support to review patients’ medicines and help prevent medication-related problems and support safe discharge from hospital.
County Hospital is one of four finalists for the Parliamentarian’s Choice Award, with the winner due to be announced in London on Monday 16 November.