Older and vulnerable residents in Swadlincote and across Derbyshire are benefiting from faster medical treatment through a health partnership that allows emergency services to bypass hospital waiting rooms. While the Frailty Same Day Emergency Care (fSDEC) unit at Royal Derby Hospital has been operational since 2023, a formalized referral pathway launched in September 2025 has significantly streamlined access for patients with complex needs.
The University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) partnered with emergency services to create a fast-track route for elderly patients. This allows frontline staff to send eligible patients directly to the specialist unit rather than through the standard Emergency Department process, which can often be overwhelming for frail individuals.
Ambulance crews from the East Midlands Ambulance Service and call advisors at DHU Healthcare (NHS 111) are trained to refer eligible people straight to the specialist unit. Once they arrive, patients are seen by a multi-disciplinary team of geriatric consultants, pharmacists, and therapists specializing in care for the elderly.
Data from the hospital trust shows that the initiative is significantly improving patient outcomes. Only 25 per cent of patients seen at the specialist unit end up needing a hospital bed. For those who are admitted, the length of their stay is reduced by an average of two and a half days because they receive the right specialist care more quickly.
This service is only available through a referral and is not a walk-in facility for the public. Local residents who need urgent medical advice should continue to contact NHS 111 or call 999 in a life-threatening emergency.
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