Torbay and South Devon NHS is launching a new integrated care hub for the elderly at Newton Abbot Hospital to make it easier for older people to receive specialist care without being admitted as a hospital inpatient.

Described as a centre of excellence for older people, The Harbour will bring various clinicians together under one roof to provide specialist frailty care, holistic assessments, urgent care and diagnostics.

Patients will also be supported by the Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust’s virtual frailty ward where patients receive hospital-level care at home.

‘Clinical evidence tells us that older people living with frailty are at a higher risk of losing independence, getting infections, and having memory decline while in hospital. They also tell us they don’t want to receive their care in hospital and want to get back home,’ explained The Harbour clinical lead, Dr Kath Bhatt. ‘The Harbour gives us the opportunity to change by wrapping personalised care around our patients at home when they need it the most and helping them to stay well for longer.’

The first phase of the new service launches this month, and the team is working closely with the ambulance service and care homes to support their residents.

Next year, The Harbour will be extended with the launch of a same-day emergency care space for older people who need urgent diagnostic, assessment and hospital interventions so they don’t have to go to Torbay Hospital.

The service has been designed especially for older people living with multiple, long-term health conditions or frailty. Instead of attending a busy emergency department, patients will be able to receive same-day care, support and assessment either through visits in their own home or by attending the calm and welcoming space of this new hospital unit.

‘It's about getting the right care, in the right place at the right time – helping people stay well, recover quickly and remain independent for longer,’ a spokesperson from Torbay and South Devon NHS said.