This is thanks to the success of an innovative trial scheme - the Partnership for Older People Project (POPP) - led by Southwark Council. The project aims to improve the quality of service provided to older people by linking care, health and social agencies together more effectively.

   An evaluation of the project for 2006/07 found a 12 per cent reduction in the number of older people placed into care homes after hospital treatment.

   It also found the length of stay in the Care of the Elderly ward at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS reduced from 23.5 days in 2005/06 to 16.5 days in 2006/07.

   The focus of the two year trial project is to help older people live independently for longer and reduce time spent in hospital. It aims to test new and more holistic ways of offering service during and after hospital care.

   The project also places priority on providing older people with the full information needed to make their own decisions about their future care.

   In 2006 Southwark Council was one of 19 councils in the UK to be awarded the £1.8million POPP grant from the Department of Health. The council, Southwark healthcare agencies, community groups and the voluntary sector worked together to develop a pilot partnership programme with the help of this funding.

   Cllr David Noakes, Southwark Council’s executive member for health and adult care, said:

   “By agencies linking together more effectively we can make sure we are taking into account an older person’s full care needs – mental and social needs as well as physical.

   “For example, it was recognised that mental health issues like anxiety, bereavement and depression can have a real impact on the recovery of older people in hospital.

   “By placing mental health care workers across the service we have helped make sure these issues are dealt with in the context of their health care and recovery. We’ve found this has had a major impact on the length of stay in hospital and often prevents a person moving to permanent care.” 

   The evaluation of this initiative found a 300 per cent increase in the number of referrals to the Mental Health Immediate Care Team.

   Cllr Noakes added: “The evaluation results of the project support what we’re doing and we’re very pleased with this success. The council is keen to see the project continue once the trial officially ends in 2008.”

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