Please do not be put off by the name—frailty is a long-term condition, but it can be reversible, and people can move up and down the frailty spectrum. A minor event, such as a medication change or a small injury, can cause significant changes to a person with frailty’s physical and mental well-being.
In a nutshell, it's a service supporting those over 75 who are more vulnerable to falls and need assistance to prevent hospitalisation. It's a vital resource, based at Grove House next to Crowborough Hospital, designed to provide comprehensive care and support in your own home to help you:
Stay independent and safe.
Enhance your quality of life by addressing your physical, emotional, and social needs.
Prevent hospital admissions by managing health conditions proactively and supporting recovery at home.
Support carers by offering guidance and resources to help them provide effective care for longer.
The Frailty Service is headed by nurse practitioner Jane Lee, a hidden gem. She is compassionate, responsive, and highly resourceful, with the know-how to mobilise the support you need. The frailty team is the one Good Company contacts when members experience a crisis at home and are unable to visit the clinic. Jane and her team provide immediate support to manage health issues in the comfort of your own home.
The frailty team conducts an assessment to understand your health, lifestyle, and social needs, creating a personalised care plan that may include medical treatments, physical therapy, nutritional support, and social activities to enhance your well-being.
The team works closely with healthcare professionals, including GPs, geriatricians, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, the Rapid Response Team, and social workers. Jane and her team can coordinate care to ensure you get the specialists you need.
More specifically, they can:
Assist with Advanced Care Planning and help fill out a ReSPECT (Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment) form. This outlines a patient's preferences for emergency care and treatment in case they are unable to communicate their wishes. It ensures emergency care aligns with the patient's preferences, providing a clear guide for healthcare providers in critical situations. While it's not a legal document and can be changed at any time, it will be shared with your GP and SECAM (South East Coast Ambulance Service).
Undertake medication reviews to assess whether your medications are still appropriate for your current health conditions and make necessary adjustments.
Undertake stage one of the Continuing Health Care (CHC) funding application to access NHS funding for healthcare. This service is free of charge.
Accessing the Frailty Service is straightforward.
Referrals can be made by your GP, or you or your family members can contact the service directly to inquire about support at sc-tr.highwealdenpcn-frailty-scft@nhs.net to schedule an assessment.
Download their leaflet
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