The Downe Hospital’s Acute Frailty Unit in Downpatrick, which opened its doors 10 years ago, has been praised for its compassionate patient centred approach to its older and elderly patients, right in the heart of the community.
The Unit provides a ‘one stop shop health MOT’ with staff providing a comprehensive, same day health assessment for patients, preventing hospital admission, if possible.
The Frailty Unit’s services are designed to ease what can be a complex and stressful healthcare journey for older people. By offering assessment, treatment, follow-up and support in a single location, the Unit allows for smoother access to services at the right time.
Patient Father Sean Rogan, described the Frailty Unit, its staff and treatment as a, “Centre of Excellence.” “This place is excellent, the staff are courteous, helpful and so professional. Coming to the Unit offers me a complete MOT. I have seen the Consultant, the Nurses have taken my bloods and I have had an x-ray. It is all here and everyone is so kind.”
Consultant Dr Cathal Foy shared how the Frailty Unit offers patients a much more homely environment.
“We aim to see eight patients a day and that can vary. We find the benefits of the Frailty Unit is to offer holistic care and to ask the patient what they want and to try to facilitate that as much as possible. We can access our wards directly from this Unit, so we have that smooth transition for our older patients, should that be required.”
Ward Sister Caoimhe Murdock added how the Frailty Unit offers a, “Wrap around service for older people.”
“We carry out blood pressure checks and our patients are seen by medical professionals with investigations carried out on the same day. Our Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy teams are here and our aim is to discharge people home where they are at their most comfortable.”
Having been in her role for the past seven years, Caoimhe spoke passionately on how she, “Couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.”
“I love working with our older population. We are a small team and it just feels like a family.”
Advanced Practitioner Occupational Therapist Meghan Webster explained how the Frailty Unit is a fantastic resource for the local community. “It is a one stop shop with everything our patients need, carried out in one day, and that is crucial for our frail, elderly population. Our patients are keen to remain in their own routines and at home and we support them as best we can to ensure that happens.”