Frailty (health and wellbeing needs in South Tyneside)

A 2011 study by Guthride and Wyke (University of Glasgow) identified that most over 65 year olds suffer from two or more long term conditions, and the majority of over 75 year olds will have 3 or more conditions. The Projecting Older People Population Information System (POPPI) predicts that those health conditions that will particularly increase the cost of healthcare by 2020 will be:

• Profound hearing loss (increase of 16%)
• Dementia (increase of 14%)
• COPD
• Learning disabilities.

South Tyneside face a challenge insofar as multi-morbidity rates of common conditions are higher in the borough than other areas of a similar demographic. This is particularly true of heart disease, stroke, colorectal and bowel cancer. The prevalence of hypertension is also expected to rise to 34% of patients in South Tyneside by 2020.

In addition, it was estimated in 2012-2013 that a further 2,500 patients had not been identified as having COPD, while it is predicted that, by 2030, 10.4% of the population of South Tyneside will suffer from diabetes.

Suggestions for recommendations include:

• Evaluation of the potential appointment of a GPwSI in Older People's Medicine, and of an 'Older People Nurse Specialist'. Both roles could provide a good platform for the instigation of Emergency Health Care Plans and Do Not Resuscitate forms in a proactive manner, thereby reducing the burden on the health system through admissions, and improving the experience for patients and families. Examples of such a model have been cited by the Royal College of General Practitioners with respect to suggestions for innovative working.
• Implementation of a more prominent role for involvement and promotion of the voluntary sector, such as Age UK. This could provide increased input into social prescribing.