Older People's Forum Looks at the Future of Health and Social Care

The provision of health and social care services in North Norfolk is changing. Now the North Norfolk Older People's Forum is giving people the chance to quiz health trusts and local authorities about how they will be affected.

At the Annual General Meeting in North Walsham on Friday, 30 September 2005, representatives from the North Norfolk Primary Care Trust, Norfolk County Council Social Services, the Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Partnership and the East Anglian Ambulance Trust will be on hand to discuss changes in health and social care services in the District.

Traditionally, the focus of older people's services has been on the 15 per cent of older people who are most dependent upon specialist care. But the trusts, authorities and agencies involved in providing health and social care in North Norfolk have developed a new strategic approach to helping older people keep their independence and stay well, to prevent illness and reduce reliance upon intensive or residential care.

Many new initiatives are under way that, for example, take advantage of advances in medicine and in assisted technology like alarms and pressure pads, help with odd jobs around the house that the frail and elderly find difficult, install features like grab rails to give them better mobility in their homes, and bring them health and welfare information and advice. The aim is to give older people the support they need to stay safe and well in their own homes, or to speed their return home after a stay in hospital.

The Annual General Meeting will be held at 1pm at Sacred Heart Church Hall on King's Arms Street in North Walsham on Friday, 30 September, 2005. It is open to anyone over the age of 50, and to organisations connected with services for older people. The media are also welcome to attend.

North Norfolk District Council is a facilitator for the North Norfolk Older People's Forum. For more information, contact Sonia Shuter at NNDC on 01263 516173 or Gordon Hare Chairman of the Forum on 01263 838027.

ENDS