The Frailty Direct Assessment Unit at Causeway Hospital provides specialist assessment and treatment for those over the age of 65.
The Unit is a consultant-led service with a team of staff from a range of disciplines, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, pharmacy, dietetics, speech and language therapy, nursing and medicine.
As a patient you will remain in the unit for assessment, which may take some hours. If you need to be admitted for ongoing care, you will be transferred to an appropriate ward.
The Frailty Direct Assessment Unit Team will aim to keep you informed of your plan of care at all times. Please let staff know if you have any questions.
When you arrive at the Unit, you will be booked on to the system and details will be checked. The nurse will ask you questions and begin your assessment.
As part of your assessment, you may have routine tests, such as:
- Height, weight and BMI
- Temperature, pulse, respiratory rate or blood pressure
- Urine test or samples
- Blood tests
- ECG (Electrocardiogram – looks at your heart rate and rhythm)
- X-ray or scans
After these routine tests, you will have a medical assessment and treatment may be started, if appropriate.
As part of your overall care, you will be seen by other members of our team. Your assessment and treatment will be tailored to your individual needs.
You may require investigations as part of your care. At times, results for these can take a number of hours to complete. If you are prescribed new medication, this may be dispensed by our pharmacy team in the Direct Assessment Unit before you leave or commenced by your own GP.
If you need further treatment, you may be admitted to a ward or offered an appointment to return to the Unit. The time taken for patients to be admitted to a ward can vary according to the demands on the hospital.
Where to find us
Frailty Direct Assessment Unit
- First floor, Causeway Hospital, 4 Newbridge Road, Coleraine, BT52 1HS.
When you arrive, you should use the main, front entrance doors at Causeway Hospital.
There is car parking around the hospital site. All parking is pay and display. Please observe restrictions for ambulances. Limited disabled parking spaces are available.
As you enter the main entrance foyer at Causeway Hospital, go to the reception desk to the right. Give the receptionist your name and advise that you have an appointment at the Frailty Direct Assessment Unit. Our receptionist will contact the unit, and a member of our nursing team will meet you in the reception area and escort you to the unit.
While patients are in the Frailty Direct Assessment Unit, relatives can wait in the reception area, but as this is a day appointment and may take some hours, it is recommended that you leave and return when contacted by staff to do so. Space and seating within the reception area is limited.
How to contact us
- Telephone: 028 7034 6187, extension: 375187
- Telephone: 028 7032 7032 (main switchboard)
Opening hours
- Monday to Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm.