What's Happening?
A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) has revealed that only 16% of patients with severe frailty in England received a medication review in the 2024/2025 period, despite a 100% requirement under the GP contract. The report, titled 'Primary and community
healthcare support for people living with frailty,' indicates that out of 226,000 patients diagnosed with severe frailty, only 37,000 underwent a medication review. Additionally, 18% of these patients had a falls risk assessment, and 29% consented to an enriched summary care record. The report criticizes the current support provided by GPs and primary care networks, noting a significant decline in personalized care and support plans for care home residents, from 76% in 2022/2023 to 44% in 2024/2025. The NAO has recommended that NHS England establish clear and consistent requirements for GPs to assess and support frail patients, including setting a timetable for standardizing community health services.
Why It's Important?
The findings of the NAO report underscore significant gaps in the healthcare system's ability to meet the needs of frail patients, which could have serious implications for patient safety and quality of care. The lack of comprehensive medication reviews and personalized care plans may lead to increased risks of adverse drug reactions and falls, potentially resulting in higher healthcare costs and poorer health outcomes. The report's recommendations aim to address these issues by urging NHS England to implement standardized practices and evaluations to ensure consistent and adequate care for frail patients. This could lead to improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs by preventing avoidable hospital admissions and complications.
What's Next?
The NAO report calls for NHS England to set a clear timetable for standardizing community health services and to evaluate the effectiveness of current frailty initiatives. This includes the 'Enhanced health in care homes' program and virtual wards. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is also urged to commission an evaluation of these initiatives to determine their impact on supporting frail patients. These steps are expected to lead to more consistent and effective care for frail patients, potentially improving their quality of life and reducing the burden on the healthcare system.
Beyond the Headlines
The report highlights the need for a more integrated approach to healthcare for frail patients, emphasizing the role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in optimizing medication use and reducing polypharmacy risks. By embedding pharmacy expertise into primary and community care pathways, the healthcare system can improve outcomes and deliver personalized care. This approach aligns with broader healthcare trends towards multidisciplinary care teams and patient-centered care models, which could lead to long-term improvements in healthcare delivery and patient satisfaction.
