In this episode, we focus on the critical topic of frailty and fall assessment in elderly patients. Frailty is a complex condition that affects many older adults, making them more vulnerable to injuries and complications. Falls, one of the most common emergencies among this population, can have life-altering consequences, including fractures, loss of independence, and even death. For healthcare providers, managing these challenges requires skill, sensitivity, and collaboration.

We also explore the barriers pre-hospital and hospital teams face in effectively communicating and coordinating care for frail elderly patients. We’ll discuss the tools and criteria used to assess frailty in emergencies and the key elements of a successful handover to hospital teams. Real-world examples will highlight the importance of seamless transitions in achieving positive outcomes. We’ll also examine how pre-hospital teams can work with hospital staff to develop proactive care pathways, prevent recurrent falls, and identify environmental or personal risk factors. Finally, we’ll touch on the importance of joint training and feedback systems to enhance skills and improve patient outcomes.

To do this we’re joined by Iain Wilkinson and James Adams. Iain is a Consultant Geriatrician and Clinical Director at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. As Clinical Lead for the Ageing Well Group, MDTea podcast host, Vice President (Education and Training) for the British Geriatrics Society, and educator with Health Education England, Iain has a wealth of invaluable expertise.

James is a leader in frailty care and service transformation. As Chief of Service for Frailty and Community Services, he has pioneered workforce development, quality improvement, and national policy influence. His insights encompass the future of care for older people and the integration of innovative, multi-professional strategies.

The Rockwood Frailty Scale / Clinical Frailty score mentioned in the episode can be found here:https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/02/rockwood-frailty-scale_.pdf

The MDTea podcast that Iain produces can be found here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-mdtea-podcast/id1073719746

The British Geriatric Society e-learning mentioned in the episode can be found here:

https://www.bgs.org.uk/bgs-elearning

A framework of core capabilities for Frailty can be found here:

https://skillsforjustice.org.uk/frameworks/frailty-a-framework-of-core-capabilities#:~:text=This%20framework%20aims%20to%20identify,review%20and%20development%20of%20staff.