Observation of a Frailty Mobility Support Worker in the Emergency Department Setting

Introduction 

People living with frailty are vulnerable to the detrimental effects of prolonged Emergency Department stays and ‘Corridor care’. Therapeutic interventions aimed at preventing deconditioning, falls and delirium are challenging to deliver in the Emergency Department.

Method
During a period of increased and sustained demand we trialled a Frailty Mobility Support Worker attached to the Acute Frailty Team at the RUH, Bath. They worked alongside nursing staff in the Emergency Department as well the Acute Frailty MDT to deliver targeted interventions to support nutrition, hydration, early mobility, toileting, repositioning, pain assessment and companionship.

Results
Over 11 days in March 2026, 47 patients received Frailty Mobility Support Worker intervention (mean 4 patients per day). The mean age was 87 years (range 71-98 years) and mean Clinical Frailty Score of 6 (range 4-8). The mean hospital length of stay was 7 days (range 0 to 48 days). 51% of patients had presented with a fall. 4% suffered an inpatient fall during their admission. All patients were screened for delirium using the 4AT score with 17% identified as having delirium. 68% of patients were discharged with no increased social care support, 19% were admitted to a community hospital and 13% were discharged with increased social care support. 
 

Feedback obtained from patients was extremely positive. Nursing staff reported the interventions helped with their own workload and allowed them to focus on additional nursing interventions. 

Conclusion

This small observational study demonstrates that a Frailly Mobility Support Worker in the Emergency Department is feasible, beneficial to the nursing and therapy teams and there may be a substantial positive impact on reducing the risk of inpatient falls, deconditioning. delirium and requirement for increased care on discharge. Further research into quantifying this impact in the Emergency Department is needed.