Older Persons Decision Unit (OPDU)

About the service

The University Hospital Southampton and Solent OPDU in Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC)  provides a specialist urgent assessment and treatment for older patients over 80 years.  The team is led by a Consultant Geriatrician. 

The Older Persons Decision Unit in Same Day Emergency Care is a six bedded assessment area comprising of five bays and one side room.

What we do

We work with patients to provide a clear plan of care with the hope of discharging people where possible. If this is not clinically suitable, we aim to facilitate a smooth admission and minimise the length of stay in hospital.

The team works with patients to:

• Provide specialist assessment for elderly patients in an appropriate environment with the hope of getting people home the same day if clinically safe to do so
• Reduce activity in the Emergency Department, therefore having a positive impact on waiting times
• Reduce unnecessary hospital admissions
• Ensure the right care in the right place at the right time
• Improve patient experience and satisfaction
• Improve patient flow
• Avoid unplanned and longer than necessary stays in hospital, resulting in a lower risk of infections and deconditioning for patients.

Accessing the service

It is primarily for patients over the age of 80 years with an acute medical presentation referred either directly by their General Practitioners, South Central Ambulance Service, Community Healthcare Professionals, or pulled from Emergency Departments through a streaming process. This group of patients come under the Speciality of Medicine for Older People (MOP).

Referrals are received by the Consultant Geriatrician, Specialist Registrar, or appropriately experienced Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACP)/ trainee ACP’s (tACP).

• TEL: 023 80 777 222 BLEEP 1012
• TEL: 023 8120 1175