Share your thoughts and experiences of frailty care in Leeds

We believe that the only way we can keep improving frailty care in Leeds is by working together. The frailty population board brings together senior leaders from across Leeds to support staff and improve care for people at living with frailty, their carers, friends and family. The board has representatives from across the city including; GPs, hospitals, social care, care homes and the voluntary sector. Together they decide how we can best spend our budget in Leeds to improve care for people with frailty.

Information and background
Over the last year, people planning health and care services in Leeds have worked with providers and the third sector to produce a set of draft outcomes for frailty. These outcomes explain what we want to achieve to improve the lives of people experiencing frailty and their carers, family and friends. 

1. Living and ageing well defined by ‘what matters to me’..
2. Identifying and supporting all people in this population group and assessing their needs and assets, as an individual and as a carer
3. Reducing avoidable disruption to people’s lives as a result of contact with services

• Compared with other populations, those living with frailty were less likely to receive person centred coordinated care. People report having multiple conditions and limited time with their GP.
• Compared with other populations people living with frailty were more likely to feel that they were only sometimes able to discuss what was important to them in managing their own health and wellbeing (involvement in care). Carers told us that it was very important to them to be recognised as caregivers by health and care professionals and to be involved in the planning of care.
• Those living with frailty were more likely to report instances where they were required to repeat information within and between services (Communication / joint working). People had mixed views on the word ‘frailty’. Carers generally found the word helpful but many people living with frailty told us that the word had negative connotations
• Data suggests that the frailty population currently does not receive enough support or information to help them manage their own health and wellbeing, such as diet and up-to-date health information.
• Older people (who are more likely to experience frailty) tell us that wider determinants such as housing and access to social activities and exercise have a significant impact on their health and well-being.
• Accessible and safe travel and transport is seen as important by people living with frailty and their carers. Data suggests that people over 65 are less likely than younger people to have access to a frequent bus within 400 metres (Health inequality – age).
• The proportion of people living with frailty is three times higher in the most deprived areas of Leeds than least deprived (health inequality – deprivation).
• Living at home for as long as possible and living with dignity and independence is seen as very important by people with frailty (Choice and support).
• People living with frailty report the importance of having services that work well together but take collective accountability (Joint working).
• Older people value a workforce that have a good understanding of the needs and preferences of older people.
• Fear of falling has a significant impact on people with frailty. They value support around this (environment/resources).
• Support for visual impairments is important to people living with frailty, in particular support accessing visual aids, good physical access and understanding staff (Health inequality – disability and workforce).
• COVID-19 had a significant impact on people with frailty including an impact on confidence and isolation.
• Health inequality (race and deprivation) - People from diverse ethnic communities in the most deprived areas become frail 11 years younger than white people in the least deprived areas
• Resources - Carers told us that independence for them meant being in control of their life. People told us that this included having flexibility and freedom and being able to meet the needs of their pets and family while fulfilling their role as a carer. Access to respite care was seen as important my many of the carers we spoke to.

• Feedback about services from staff working with people who experience frailty and their friends and families.