Have read most of the thread but apologies if I replicate...
I'm a GP and wanted to offer a small glint of positivity.
In our local area, a scheme has been commissioned which is aiming to keep people out of hospital. We can phone a hotline if we have a housebound patient who we deem is at high risk of admission and they take over their care.
The team is made up of a matron, with a geriatrician overseeing the caseload 'virtually' but will visit. The team has access to physios and OTs.
I saw a patient with dementia and a UTI last week who is high risk for admission, living in a residential home. They went out two hours later, ensured the staff were confident in caring for her, monitored her observations and have visited daily since to get her back on her feet.
I'm keeping everything crossed that the scheme continues to receive funding as it really helps us as GPs to know someone who is medically qualified will be monitoring, it helps the nursing home staff to gain confidence in managing the patient and most importantly, keeps the frail out of hospital.
Innovative schemes like this are the way forward.