The role of the district nurse in screening and assessment for frailty

Abstract

An ageing population is leading to greater demands on healthcare services; investments are being made to allow complex care to be given in patient's homes by community care staff, as highlighted in the NHS Long Term Plan (2019) . Frailty is often identified in secondary care when acute crisis is hit; frailty does not suddenly occur and will happen over time. This article aims to explore community screening, the assessment processes of frailty and the role the district nurse has. It also addresses how working collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team to earlier identify service users with frailty can assist in improving patient outcomes by empowering and supporting service users to remain at home. Recognising continual improvement to service users' care and changes in practice should be considered and disseminated. based upon best available evidence.