Older People’s Strategy Consultation Deadline At End Of Month

People in Powys have until the end of April to comment on council and health board plans for services for older people. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Joint Commissioning Strategy for Older People 2016-21 sets out the strategic direction of Powys County Council and Powys Teaching Health Board as they work to ensure services for older people will meet their needs in the future. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The county of Powys is seeing the average age of its residents rise and the council projects that the number of people over the age of 65 is expected to rise by some 42% over the next 20 years. The number of people over the age of 85 is expected to rise by 142% over the same period. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Barry Thomas, Leader of Powys County Council, said: “Along with our partners in the health board, we have to ensure that we plan our services so that they will meet the needs of older people in the future but also reflect the financial pressures we are facing.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Alan Lawrie, Director of Primary and Community Care for Powys Teaching Health Board said: “The number of older people in Powys is set to continue to increase over the coming years. It is important that we develop health and social services to meet the needs of the population. This consultation means that everyone is able to have their say on how we develop these services and I welcome their input.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The document, including a summary, and survey can be found online via www.powys.gov.uk/haveyoursay or paper copies are available from libraries and GPs in the county. The closing date for responses is April 30, 2016. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​