Over-75s screened to reduce risk of hospital re-admission

A preventive programme in north London is screening over-75s who
have been taken to hospital but not admitted.

A partnership between Enfield Social Services, Enfield Primary Care
Trust and Age Concern aims to reduce risk in the home and
consequently cut nursing care costs and the chance of hospital
readmission.

The four-part programme involves telephone screening of patients
and targeted home visits by community liaison nurses who assess
needs.

Charlie Clerke, Enfield PCT’s project organiser for older people,
said 1,700 patients had been screened in the past 14 months and 25
per cent were found to have “significant need”.

The programme also assesses the potential health risks in clients’
homes, works with minority communities to explore mental health
issues and provides advice on the correct use of prescription
drugs.