A NEW specialist unit at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary (DGRI) is improving care for some of the region’s most vulnerable patients – and is already showing positive results just a few months into operation.
The Acute Frailty Unit, based in Ward D7, was introduced in response to the increasing health and social care needs of the region’s ageing population – one of the oldest in Scotland. Designed to provide rapid, person-centred care to older adults with frailty, the unit has helped reduce hospital stays, improved outcomes, prevented readmissions, and eased pressures on other parts of the hospital.
Since opening in April, 166 patients have been admitted to the unit, with 132 returning home directly – and with an average length of stay of just 3.4 days. That’s a significant improvement from the typical 17.5-day stay previously seen among older patients with frailty in the region.
Consultant Geriatrician Dr Amy Conley said: “We knew we needed to take a new approach.
“Older patients often benefit from early, focused treatment delivered by a team who understand the complexities of frailty. Our goal is not just to treat illness but to support wellbeing and independence.”
The Frailty Unit operates with eight beds. Appropriate patients are identified on arrival at DGRI by Frailty Clinical Nurse Specialists led by Drew Crooks and moved to the unit. At this point, their care is led by an experienced multidisciplinary team made up of frailty specialist nurses, allied health professionals (AHPs), pharmacy, doctors and the wider Ward D7 team – already known for its strong culture of rehabilitation and person-centred care.
Ward D7’s Senior Charge Nurse Keri Van-Nuil says the impact has been noticeable.
She said: “We’re seeing patients regain function more quickly and return home with more confidence. The focus on realistic, holistic care has been really powerful for both patients and staff.”
AHP Lead for Acute Isla Green added: “The approach reduces the impact of unnecessary time spent in hospital and issues which can an arise out of immobility and enables them to remain living at home for as long as possible, feeling as well as possible, and living as independently as possible.”
As well as improving outcomes for individuals, the unit is helping to reduce pressure on hospital beds and the Emergency Department – and is playing a key role in addressing one of the health board’s most persistent challenges: delayed discharges.
Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership Interim Chief Officer Nicole Hamlet said: “This work is making a real and measurable difference.
“By reducing unnecessary time in hospital, we’re helping people get home or to a homely setting safely and sooner. It also frees up vital capacity in the hospital, which helps us deliver better care across the board. I’m very proud of what the team has achieved.”
The project builds on previous frailty work in Dumfries and Galloway and continues to evolve with input from those delivering the care. The team is supported by Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership’s management team and project leads.
Dr Conley said: “This has been very much a team effort. By listening to staff and learning as we go, we’re making care better, not just quicker – and ultimately, that’s what matters most to our patients.”