A specialist frailty ward dedicated solely to caring for older patients has opened at a west Norfolk hospital.

Windsor ward at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn offers specialist care for patients presenting with 'classic' frailty syndromes such as delirium, sudden immobility and injuries suffered from a fall and subsequent unsafe walking.

The hospital aims to offer specialist frailty assessments within 12 hours of admission, seven days a week.

Following the assessment, patients are moved to the new frailty unit where they are cared for by dedicated medical and nursing staff and receive occupational therapy and physiotherapy support.

A QEH spokesman said strong evidence suggests that comprehensive medical assessments within two hours, followed by specific treatment, supportive care and rehabilitation, is associated with lower mortality, greater independence and reduced need for long-term care.

Dorothy Hosein, chief executive officer, said: 'At the QEH we endeavour to treat all patients with dignity, respect and care for their individual needs.

'The Windsor ward staff are trained precisely to care for these patients and pride themselves on providing quality care tailored to the individual they are looking after.

'This means the patient and their family can have confidence in the care they receive and we can ensure faster assessments and treatment which ultimately reduces avoidable admissions and long stays in hospital.'

The hospital also has longer-term goals to give patients better access to community and primary care services.

The trust could not hold Windsor ward's official opening yesterday because of a suspected case of norovirus.

A QEH spokesman said: 'This was especially unfortunate as there has been a major improvement to infection control in recent months.'

Have you recently received care at the QEH? What was your experience? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk