€8.4 million PEACEPLUS project launched to support those at risk of frailty

The cross-border Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) Partnership ha launched its PEACEPLUS-funded Early Frailty Intervention Project (EFIP).

EFIP, which has been awarded funding of €8.4 million, aims to raise awareness of the impacts of frailty and to provide individuals with education and community supports to promote a proactive approach to maintaining health and well-being.

Launched on International Day of Older Persons, the project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

The CAWT Early Frailty Intervention Project will focus on early identification of those aged 55+ who are at risk of becoming frail. The project, through a network of community-based teams, will provide access to screening, assessment, education and support to empower individuals to maintain independence and manage their health and well-being. This approach supports active ageing and will improve overall health outcomes and well-being for older people.

The project launch at the Mellon Country Inn in Omagh, Co Tyrone, brought together a wide range of stakeholders from across the border region and further afield, including academic experts, health and social care professional and leaders, and government representatives.

Minister for Health, Mike Nesbitt MLA, said: “With its focus on reducing and reversing frailty in older people this project closely aligns with my Department’s priorities for active and healthy ageing and the Northern Ireland Executive’s cross-cutting Active Ageing Strategy where all individuals, as they grow older, are supported to fulfil their potential and live long, healthy and active lives. 

“This new and unique cross-border initiative prioritises early detection and intervention for almost 9,000 individuals aged 55 and over most at risk of frailty-related conditions to reduce the potential for adverse outcomes including chronic disease.  Equally important is the project’s focus on achieving more equal access to healthcare and reducing health and social inequalities for border communities while it simultaneously seeks to ease pressure on our Acute hospitals, social care
provision and support the transition to community-based care. 

“Building upon their previous successful delivery of EU-funded collaborative, cross-border projects aimed at improving health outcomes for older people, I wish the CAWT partnership and all those involved in developing and implementing the Early
Frailty Intervention Project every success for the future.”

Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, said: “I am delighted to welcome the launch of the Early Frailty Intervention Project, delivered under the PEACEPLUS Programme.

“By identifying and addressing frailty earlier in life, the project will support older people to stay healthier for longer, living independently in their own homes and remaining active within their communities. In turn, this will help reduce pressure on Emergency Departments and support more timely hospital discharges back into the community.

“I extend my best wishes to everyone involved in the Early Frailty Intervention Project and look forward to following its progress in the years ahead.”

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “This project represents the beginning of a shared commitment, across borders, across disciplines, and across communities, to support some of the most vulnerable people in our society, especially our more elderly citizens who are living with, or at risk of developing, frailty.

“This is a model of partnership in action. Importantly, this project is not replacing what already works. EFIP is designed to enhance and complement existing services. It builds on current good practice, not to duplicate, but to fill the gaps and address
unmet need. By contributing a fully cross-border, community-based response to early frailty, EFIP is meeting a PEACEPLUS target and is setting a standard for what collaborative health innovation can achieve.”

Welcoming this significant project funding, Pat Healy, HSE National Director and Director General of the CAWT Partnership said: “The CAWT partner organisations are committed to developing innovative cross border services and projects, which serve the needs of our populations. The CAWT Early Frailty Intervention Project will assess people for frailty and provide them with information, support and interventions, in partnership with communities, to reduce the impact of frailty, thus improving health and well-being. We are thankful to SEUPB and both Departments of Health for this PEACEPLUS funding, and for their support and trust in the CAWT Partnership to deliver for citizens living in border counties.”

CAWT’s Deputy Director General, Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency commented: “Supporting people to age well is a priority for health and social care in Northern Ireland. This significant additional investment for preventing, managing and reducing frailty risks will enable us to further progress services and initiatives, at an accelerated pace. Additionally, this project will enable us to identify effective approaches to supporting older people to live well and thrive in
their communities.”