New emergency care unit is keeping OAPs out of hospital

It helps cut unnecessary admissions in frail and elderly patients

- Sentinel Reporter

TEAM: Hazel Davey, fourth right, and Samantha Morris, centre, with members of the Royal Stoke SDEC.

THE launch of a new same day emergency care unit has enabled 90 per cent of elderly and frail patients to return home on the same day.

The SDEC unit has opened at Royal Stoke University Hospital to prevent 'unnecessary' hospital admissions for OAPs.

It has also led to a reduction in ambulance handover delays and has avoided long waits on trolleys for patients.

The service - introduced as part of an initial two week trial - will treat patients aged over 75 who attend the hospital's accident unit to ensure they receive 'appropriate and timely' care so they can return home at the earliest opportunity.