A blueprint for the care needs of older people is being drawn up in the district in the face of a rapidly rising elderly population.

There is expected to be an 85 per cent growth in the numbers of older people who are aged 85 or more in the district by 2030.

The 85 to 89 year age band is projected to increase from 6,200 to 11,500 and the population of those aged 90 or more is expected to increase from 2,800 to 8,700 – an increase of more than 200 per cent.

‘Meeting Changing Expectations’ is NHS Bradford and Airedale and Bradford Council’s joint commissioning strategy for the next three years and it will cover health, social care and housing-related support services to meet the changing aspirations and expectations of older people.

People of all ages are now being asked to comment on the new strategy so that it can reflect what older people and their families want and need to have a good quality of life.

Matt Neligan, director of strategy at NHS Bradford and Airedale, said: “Working in partnership with Bradford Council’s Adult and Community Services, we have developed the draft plan with a clear focus on improving a whole range of services, to make sure that older people’s services are at the front of the minds of planners and providers of health and social care.

“This is especially important during the challenging financial times that the whole public sector is facing at the moment.”

The plans will allow commissioners to take a co-ordinated approach to service development and delivery across a very large and complex range of services.

Dr Matt Fay, clinical lead for integrated services for older people, said: “When older people have a health crisis or episode of ill-health, the right services need to be available at the right time and in the right place, so that normal life can continue as quickly as possible.

  • Read the full story in Thursday's T&A