The 2026-27 programme launched in April 2026 and will run for 12 months. Participating teams are actively applying quality improvement methodology and working to improve services, with a shared commitment to delivering at least one of the programme aims by March 2027.
Participating teams
Health and social care teams we are supporting:
- NHS Ayrshire & Arran
- East Ayrshire HSCP
- NHS Forth Valley, Falkirk HSCP, Clackmannanshire and Stirling HSCP
- Glasgow City HSCP and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – South Sector Older Peoples Services
- NHS Highland
- NHS Lanarkshire
- NHS Lothian
- Orkney HSCP and Age Scotland Orkney
- Renfrewshire HSCP and Royal Alexandra Hospital older people’s directorate
- NHS Shetland
- NHS Western Isles and Western Isles HSCP
Programme support
Teams are supported throughout the programme by a multidisciplinary team. Working collaboratively, we are identifying, testing and spreading evidence-based change ideas to improve care for people living with frailty.
Programme support includes:
- One-to-one quality improvement coaching.
- Places at two in person learning sessions.
- Site visits from the Healthcare Improvement Scotland team.
- Access to clinical and improvement expertise on frailty.
- Advice on data and measurement, strategic planning and engaging people and families in improvement.
Participating teams are expected to:
- Complete an operational agreement between themselves and Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
- Complete a project charter.
- Test change ideas at pace.
- Submit monthly data updates and quarterly progress reports.
- Attend two in-person learning sessions and a series of online events.
- Present their learning to other teams who are part of the programme.
Teams will use quality improvement methodology to test and implement changes, supported by robust data collection and analysis to show impact.
Programme impact
Focus on Frailty programme impact report 2023-24 – Healthcare Improvement Scotland
The following are some examples of the impact achieved by previous teams involved in this work:
- As of the end of March 2026, 100% (15/15) of hospitals that accept emergency admissions and are participating in the Focus on Frailty programme provided access to specialist staff in frailty teams.
- One hospital reduced the average length of stay for people living with frailty by four days.
- 37% reduction in demand for GP appointments in the six months following an occupational therapy wellbeing review.
- 1,400 older people screened for frailty in 12 months by one community team, enabling them to deliver person-led care.
Find out about the aims and interventions for this year’s programme