The Frailty Nurse Specialist service is a nurse led team of an Elderly Care Nurse Practitioner and two Frailty Nursing Assistants. 

We cover all 5 practices within the Inner West PCN 5 days a week 8.30-6pm. We visit you by appointment in your own home to discuss any issues you maybe having with managing your day-to-day life tasks. Our aim is to keep you out of hospital and living at home independently for as long as possible. This maybe because you're falling over or struggling with memory for example. 

We work closely with your General Practitioner and the community Geriatricians as well as having access to occupational therapists and Physio. Our aim is to collaborate your care in a personalised way. 

You can get in touch with us directly via your GP Practice or via referral from your surgery. We are also here for you following a hospital clinic or inpatient stay. 

 I have worked for the NHS for over 17 years. 

I currently work in the frailty team alongside Laura and Gemma.

We deal with referrals from 5 GP surgeries in the Gateshead inner west (Chainbridge Medical Partnership, Glenpark Medical Practice, Sunniside Surgery, Teams Medical Practice and The Whickham Practice) 

I find the work very interesting as it varies from day to day and from each surgery. 

I am also currently studying with the Open University to become a qualified Nurse.

 I have been Nursing since 2006 after graduating with honours from the University of Dundee.

I initially worked in a Nursing home specialising in dementia in rural Scotland before moving to Newcastle and taking a Staff Nurse Position in the Emergency Department. 

During my time in the ED I predominantly worked in the Resus area and had a specialist interest in Elderly poly trauma.  From this role I became a Ward Sister in Acute Elderly Medicine and then the Ward Manager. 

2015 I became a Frailty Nurse Practitioner within a Primary Care Network of initially 4 practices, but we have a 5^th practice join us in 2021. 

I have advanced clinical skills and history taking qualifications in Acute and General Practice, I am also a Nurse Prescriber. I was recognised as "National Clinician of the Year" 2016 in the General Practice awards something I remain immensely proud of. 

I am currently a Student Frailty Nurse working within the Frailty team for Inner west GP practices. 

My role includes visiting patients with multiple medical and social needs. 

Ensuring that they remain safe in their own home. Referring to multiple organisations and co ordinating their care.

I work with patients to identify what is important to them, set goals and help them to achieve them. I have a specialist interest in rehabilitation.  

Previous to this role, I spent a short time as a Practice Manager at a GP surgery and spent 8 years in the Royal Navy as a Leading Medical Assistant.