Analysis
Norfolk trust set to open UK's first emergency department dedicated to older patients
The emergency department for patients over 80 is expected to be up and running at the end of November and will treat an estimated 18,000 people a year
The emergency department for patients over 80 is expected to be up and running at the end of November and will treat an estimated 18,000 people a year
- Norfolk's population has a much older age profile than England as a whole, with almost one quarter of its residents over 65
- Attendees at the current ED will be sent to the new department if interventions such as stroke care are not required
‘We recognised that the earlier we can assess our patients, the sooner we can get them back to full health, regaining their independence and avoiding hospital admission,’ says Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH) divisional nursing director for medicine, Kate Keeling.
Patients over 80 presenting at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals usual ED will be assessed to ensure they do not need a
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