New frailty service reduces hospital admissions for Care UK residents by a quarter

A new Addenbrooke’s Hospital service providing specialist geriatric care directly in care homes has significantly reduced hospital admissions for Care UK residents.

Research published  in Age and Ageing shows the Enhanced Reviews in Care Homes (EnRICH) service has reduced admissions by just under a quarter and cut time spent in hospital by a third, saving around 1,300 inpatient bed days a year.

Many care home residents live with frailty and multiple long term conditions, and hospital can be a distressing environment that increases the risk of physical and cognitive decline. EnRICH was developed by clinicians at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) to provide specialist support in the community for an ageing population with increasingly complex needs.

Although care home residents represent just 1% of the population, they account for 8% of hospital admissions. Cambridge’s population has risen by 18% over the past decade—compared to 6% nationally—and is projected to grow by 60% by 2040. Across the East of England, over 75s are expected to be the fastest growing group.

Specialist support in Care UK homes

EnRICH brings hospital geriatricians into care homes to work alongside GPs, community nurses, pharmacists and care home teams. The service provides regular assessments, rapid clinical support when residents become unwell, and continuity of care if admission to Addenbrooke’s is required.

The evaluation reviewed 11 care homes in Cambridgeshire over more than 12 months. Analysis of over six thousand emergency department attendances showed a 23% reduction in admissions and a 32% reduction in length of stay, shortening average hospital stays by nearly three days.

Dr Matthew Butler, consultant geriatrician at CUH, said: “This innovative service improves the quality of care for some of our frailest patients, enabling them to access specialist support without leaving the familiar surroundings of their care home.”

Impact on Care UK residents and families

Heathlands House in Cambridge was one of the first Care UK homes to introduce EnRICH in October 2024.

Clifford, a 96 year old resident living with dementia, heart failure, diabetes, COPD and a previous stroke, attended hospital three times in the year before EnRICH began. Since the service was introduced, his care has been managed entirely within Heathlands House with specialist input from hospital geriatricians.

His daughter, Alice Craske, said: “It means my dad can stay in the comfort of his home while still getting specialist input and care. He is settled, stable and happy.”

Alice’s mother, Pam, also lived at Heathlands House before she passed away in 2025. Alice described the continuity of care provided by the EnRICH team during her mother’s final hospital admission as “superb”.

Strengthening partnerships

The research found benefits began to emerge after three months as relationships between hospital and community teams strengthened.

Razvan Stanbeca, manager of Heathlands House, said: “The specialist input from the EnRICH team has enhanced the care we provide. Our colleagues feel more confident and more empowered to provide even better care for residents.”

Following its early success, EnRICH has expanded to 15 care homes with the highest frequency of hospital admissions in Cambridgeshire, funded by the NHS Central East ICB. The evaluation also highlighted annual savings of around 1,300 inpatient bed days, equivalent to approximately £700,000.

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