TILDA & NCPOP Frailty Education Programme Reaches Milestone of 6,000 Health Care Professionals
TILDA and NCPOP Achieve Major Milestone with National Frailty Education Programme
Since its inception in 2017, The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) has partnered with the National Clinical Programme for Older People (NCPOP) to deliver the National Frailty Education Programme (NFEP). This initiative has now reached a significant milestone, having trained over 6,000 health care professionals nationwide.
Programme Overview:
- Training and Education: The NFEP, which began its second phase in August 2023 and will run until 2025, includes a one-day frailty education course provided at TILDA’s health assessment centre. The programme equips Health and Social Care Professionals with in-depth knowledge on frailty assessment and management. This training aims to enhance understanding, enable earlier recognition of frailty, and improve healthcare management and outcomes for frail older adults.
- “Frailty Facilitators”: Attendees who complete the programme become “Frailty Facilitators,” a special cadre of professionals responsible for disseminating their knowledge to other front-line health care staff in their local Community Health Organisations and Hospital Groups. This helps advocate for and improve care delivery for frail older individuals across the country.
- Accreditation and CPD Credits: The NFEP has been awarded Category 1 approval by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits provided based on the hours of learning. This recognition underscores the programme’s commitment to high-quality education and professional development.
Programme Impact
The NFEP has been recognised internationally in research papers as a model for integrating research with clinical practice to benefit both patients and healthcare professionals. The programme's success highlights its role in translating cutting-edge longitudinal research into practical applications that enhance patient care and inform clinical practice.
Commitment to Excellence
Through this innovative training programme, TILDA demonstrates its ongoing dedication to improving care for older adults by combining rigorous research with practical education. The NFEP represents a key initiative in ensuring that healthcare professionals are well-equipped to manage frailty effectively and deliver high-quality care.