A global clinical measure, previously only suitable for use by clinicians. However, Hertfordshire ICB has recently decided that it can also be used by suitably trained* non-clinicians. It is not appropriate to use the CFS as a method of identifying frailty without a formal clinical assessment, as it was designed to be used to measure severity of frailty after a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Therefore, any assessments by non-clinicians will also need to be followed up by a clinical assessment.
It summarises the overall level of fitness or frailty of an older adult and therefore their level of vulnerability to poor outcomes. It is not validated for measuring improvement in individuals after an acute illness. (Recognising frailty | British Geriatrics Society).
Early identification of frailty helps to improve both long- and short-term health management, as people with frailty require a more personalised approach to their needs.
Recognition of frailty should be part of a holistic assessment.
If you suspect a person is at risk of frailty, and you are not a clinician, you should ensure that you refer to a clinician to confirm the person’s level of frailty on the CFS.
Click here for the (Rockwood) Clinical Frailty Scale
* Suitably trained refers to staff that completed HCPA’s ‘Falls and Frailty Champion’ course