In this episode of Clinical Conversations, Dr Sebastian Spencer and Dr Dan Harman discuss how community and frailty medicine is evolving to deliver proactive, person-centred care closer to home; why frailty matters across all specialties; and how clinicians and healthcare systems can better identify, manage and support people living with frailty.
Dr Dan Harman is a consultant geriatrician and clinical lead at the Jean Bishop Integrated Care Centre in Hull. He is an expert in frailty, hospital-at-home and community-based care. He has over 20 years of medical, executive management, academic and policy experience.
Dr Sebastian Spencer is a member of RCPE's Trainees and Members' Committee and an academic renal registrar.
-- Useful Links --
Taher, A.S.M., Slavova-Boneva, V. & Battisti, N.M.L. Polypharmacy, Medicine Optimisation, and Medication Adherence in Older Cancer Patients. Curr Oncol Rep 28, 43 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-026-01780-9
Age UK. The Longest Wait to Leave: Tackling the delayed discharges that help to drive corridor care - https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bristol/about-us/news/the-longest-wait-to-leave-report/
British Geriatrics Society - Be proactive: Delivering proactive care - https://www.bgs.org.uk/be-proactive-proactive-care-for-older-people-with-frailty
British Geriatrics Society - Pragmatic prescribing to reduce harm for older people with moderate to severe frailty - https://www.bgs.org.uk/PragmaticPrescribing
Crocker TF, et al. Community based complex interventions to sustain independence in older people: systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMJ. 2024. - https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-077764
Recording Date: 29 July 2026
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This podcast is from the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).
