A SPECIALIST team based in the John Radcliffe Hospital’s A&E have helped nearly double the number of safe discharges of frail patients in 14 months.

The Frailty Intervention Team, which launched in October 2018, helps patients aged 65 years and over who have had a fall by assessing them within two hours of their admission to the Emergency Department.

In September 2018, prior to the team’s launch, an average of 591 older patients were discharged every month.

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The average had gone up to 1,042 being discharged every month by August, 2019.

Felicity Beckley, lead occupational therapist in the team, said: "Following a fall, some patients can really have a knock to their confidence.

"It can be quite a frightening experience, and being admitted to Emergency Departments can add to the stress too.

"We’re able to speak directly to the patient, assess them, and quickly work out what the best treatment for them will be."