‘Health MOTs’ to be offered to older patients ‘at front door of A&Es’
“Health MOTs” will be offered to older patients “at the front door” of hospital A&E departments to avoid unnecessary admissions, the health service has said.
NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said the approach could be a “lifeline” for many patients as it would allow them to be assessed and supported quicker.
It will focus on people aged 65 and over or those with frailty-related conditions.
The tests, which will be available for 10 hours a day, seven days a week, will check blood pressure, heart health and mobility, as well as checking for malnutrition.
NHS staff will also look at a patient’s respiratory and fall records.
Based on the results, patients will be signposted to specialist care, such as fall services and dementia support.
Ms Pritchard said: “While some people do need to be admitted, it isn’t always the most suitable place for older patients’ needs, and they can also rapidly lose mobility while in hospital.
“Health MOTs at the front door of A&Es for older people could be a lifeline for many – from blood pressure tests to a review of their falls history, these checks mean patients can be assessed quickly and directed to the right support for their needs.”
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NHS England estimates that about one million people over the age of 75 are admitted to hospital each year, a fifth of whom are very frail.
A study by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in April suggested more than 250 patients a week in England may have died unnecessarily last year due to very long waits for a bed in A&E.
It found there was an excess death for every 72 patients that spent eight to 12 hours in A&E.
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The new approach is part of an update to the urgent and emergency care recovery plan, which was introduced in May.
The plan also includes cash incentives for hospitals that do not leave patients waiting in A&E for 12 hours or more and an expansion of virtual wards in a bid to free up space in emergency departments.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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