A new pilot to relieve pressure on accident and emergency services and improve patient experience is launching in Burnley West this year.
Residents in Burnley West will be able to fast track into the Older Persons Rapid Assessment unit, based in the specialist frailty area at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, via a GP referral, where they will be assessed and directed to the best place to receive care and support.
This will help prevent them having unnecessary waits in the busy A&E department or potentially be admitted into hospital.
Should the pilot prove successful following evaluation, it will be rolled out across Pennine Lancashire.
Kate Atkinson, Director of Service Development and Improvement at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "There is a growing number of people with frailty who are more at risk of falls and being admitted to hospital.
"This pilot is part of our ongoing work to support early identification of frailty and supporting people to stay safe and well at home.
"We are working with a whole range of partners in the community and this is not only helping people live independently but also helping relieve some of the pressures on our hospital services."