New frailty service launches in Scarborough and Ryedale

Patients in Scarborough and parts of Ryedale are set to benefit from an enhanced range of adult community services.

Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, which has been running a range of community services, health promotion and wellbeing advice as part of an £80 million contract with NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), has introduced two more services using the ‘One Team’ approach.

It has now launched a new frailty service which follows the integrated partnership working model that has been successful since its initial launch last year.

Frailty is now recognised as a ‘long term condition’ and it’s hoped the new service will encourage early diagnosis and create a systematic, preventative and proactive approach to frailty care which will help and prevent further health problems.

The new model of care has meant patients access community nursing, specialist nursing, therapy services, dietetics, stroke and other services, with personalised care so they can remain in their own homes, and avoid admission to hospital where it is possible and safe to do so, in a ‘Home First’ approach.

Following the improvements, patients are able to call a single telephone number to access round-the-clock care with front-line clinical teams working in partnership with GPs, local councils, the voluntary and charitable sector and other key organisations.

NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG Executive Nurse, Carrie Wollerton, said: “The first year of the new community services contract has seen a big emphasis on patients being looked after in their own homes, or in community settings. There’s been a much greater focus on prevention which we believe is leading to fewer people requiring a stay in hospital.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the range of services expanded from this month and seeing further benefits for residents in Scarborough and parts of Ryedale.”

Under the new model, every doctor, nurse, therapist or health care assistant looking after a patient will, subject to consent, be granted the same view of each medical record, ensuring patients do not have to repeat themselves whenever they seek treatment. This follows on from feedback received during the consultation period where patients felt strongly that they should “only have to tell their story once”.

Julia Harrison-Mizon, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust’s Care Group Director of Primary Care, Community, Children’s and Learning Disability Services, said: “We are excited about expanding the range of services to include frailty delivered through our One Team approach which works to ensure that people maintain their independence and stay in their own homes for as long as possible.

“The staff in our three hub teams have done a tremendous job during our year one delivery which has included the introduction of an overnight nursing service and relocation to new bases closer to the people we are supporting and working closely with.”

The Trust is continuing to expand Scarborough and Ryedale services following the takeover of an £80 million contract with NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG in 2018.

The Trust will also be delivering continuing healthcare assessments for the Scarborough and Ryedale area from today (1 April 2019) and introducing another new service to the area later in the year which will offer elderly medicine clinics.

Further information is available by emailing hnf-tr.scarboroughryedale@nhs.net