Frailty affects around 10% of people aged over 65 in the UK, rising to 25% for those aged over 85, with these numbers set to increase in line with life expectancy. With this in mind, Nursing Times is publishing a new five-part series of clinical articles specifically on frailty. The first in the series, which provides an overview of frailty as a syndrome, including its impact across health and social care systems in the UK, is published in this month’s issue. Accompanying it is a comment piece in which two of the authors of the series highlight that the patient population affected by frailty is at risk of being the most disenfranchised in our society. Meanwhile, this year marks 10 years since the publication of the Report of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry, better known as the Francis report. A new survey carried out by Nursing Times to mark the anniversary has found that 84% of respondents believe more scandals like Mid Staffs are likely to be happening in the NHS right now. Also in this issue, nurses close to the inquiry reflect on whether the report’s recommendations have led to meaningful change. One of the original whistleblowers, Helené Donnelly, has also reflected on her own personal experiences.