A must read, latest Housing LIN weekly bulletin (w/c 4 May 2015)
As we wait for the election results, welcome to LINks, the weekly e-bulletin from the Housing LIN (Learning and Improvement Network) where we put a selection of latest information, resources and events under the spotlight. In this week's issue, we would like to draw your attention to the following:
Housing LIN manifesto: The 'I's have it - building a coalition for change
Jeremy's blog sets out the Housing LIN's manifesto around retirement housing options and the need for accommodation to be the third plank in the integration of services such as health and social care.
Read at: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/type/resource/?coid=9570
New Housing LIN case study - Japan: Where grassroots support initiatives are growing in empty houses
Japan has the fastest ageing society where a significant 25% are now aged 65-plus, that means 1 in 4 of its 127 million population. Within a decade, it is envisaged that Japan's 65-plus population will exceed 30%. With so many over-65s living independently there are those who need - or will soon need - differentiated levels of care and support. This is placing a strain on the resources of a country running the world's highest level of debt - 242% of Japan's GDP - and so the search is underway for cost-effective, innovative and sustainable solutions to deliver these levels of care and support. In this context, the voluntary sector is seeking to augment and add value to stretched public care provision.
This case study for the Housing Learning and Improvement Network by Mayumi Hayashi at Kings College London sets out how Japan is addressing these issues. Parallels can be drawn with the pressures facing public services and new approaches which could be developed or deployed in the UK to provide a better range of age-friendly housing and community space for our ageing population. Read at: www.housinglin.org.uk/JapanGrassroots_CaseStudy
New Housing LIN blog: HAPPI for Hippies: What sort of homes are baby boomers looking for?
To coincide with Grand Design Live, this new blog written for the Housing LIN by Julia Park (architect and Head of Housing Research at Levitt Bernstein Architects) in a personal capacity, outlines her insightful take on baby boomers' housing aspirations and needs.
Read at: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/type/resource/?coid=9568
Unlocking investment in primary care infrastructure
This report by the British Property Federation shows over half of 7,962 GP practices are too small to deliver the increased level of service provision that NHS England would like to see GPs provide and that a significant proportion are not fit for purpose or have defects such as asbestos. It recommends replacing these with approximately 1,300 larger, modern surgeries offering a greater range of services provided within the community, and increased co-location of services, allowing primary care to take the lead in improving public health.
Download from our Health Intel NHS Estate's page at: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/HealthandHousing/NHSestate/?&msg=0&parent=8693&child=9563
Intermediate Care Fund in Wales
The Welsh Government has announced a further £20m in its Intermediate Care Fund in 2015/16 to continue projects which have proven to be successful in helping older and vulnerable people remain in their own homes. The recurring revenue fund will support schemes which improve out-of-hospital care and helping people to return home from hospital and help reduce pressure on unscheduled care services and hospital admissions and adds vital new resources to care in the community.
More at: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/HousingRegions/Wales/Funding/?&msg=0&parent=9032&child=9562
Telecare LIN weekly update
Whilst we establish whether or not the crowdfunding approach is successful over the next three months, we are providing a limited 'headline only' service for registered members of the website. You can still follow Mike Clark on Twitter (@clarkmike - together with summaries on Storify and Rebelmouse) or Jeremy at @HousingLIN or on the Housing LIN homepage.
Available at: http://www.telecarelin.org.uk/News/TelecareNewsItem/?coid=8161
Forthcoming Housing LIN regional meeting
- 20/05/2015 - East Midlands Regional Housing LIN meeting, Leicester
- 10/06/2015 - Yorkshire & Humber Regional Housing LIN meeting, Doncaster (save the date)
- 09/07/2015 - East of England Regional Housing LIN meeting, Hoddesdon
Registrations now open under the link below: www.housinglin.org.uk/Events/ForthcomingEvents
Other events supported by the Housing LIN
CIH Annual Conference & Exhibition
The Housing LIN is delighted to be supporting the Health and Housing 'hub' at this year's CIH conference in Manchester (23-25 June). Come and meet the team. There is also a 2 day event conference within a conference on 24 and 25 June. Jeremy will be speaking on the 2nd day. More at: http://www.cihhousing.com/Content/Health-Social-Care-and-Housing-Conference/11/
Enhanced health in care homes: Developing integrated care: what role do care homes play?
Jeremy will be chairing a session which will focus on housing based models of care at this King's Fund event in London 2 July 2015. Register at: http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/events/enhanced-health-care-homes
Stay networked with the Housing LIN for latest news, views and resources on housing with care matters.