New Housing LIN vision document puts the spotlight on the North West

A paper published today sets out a blueprint for meeting the housing with care needs of the ever-rising numbers of older people in the North West.

The Housing Learning & Improvement Network’s (Housing LIN) North West Leadership Set commissioned the vision document to assess the gap in the likely supply and demand for housing with care in the region by 2030. ‘Putting older people first in the North West: A whole system approach to meeting housing, health and wellbeing outcomes for our older populations in North West England’, sets out challenges – and hopes – around older people’s housing in the region.

By 2030 the numbers of people aged over 65 across the North West will be 31% higher than in 2015. The rise in the numbers of very old people – those aged over 90 – and those living with dementia is even more dramatic.

Housing LIN managing director Jeremy Porteus said:

“Like the rest of the country and most western societies, the number of older people living in the North West is rising dramatically. It’s great that people are living longer but our ageing population also presents real challenges to the way we provide housing for many more older people – many of whom have dementia or other long-term conditions.

“I’m proud that the Housing LIN’s North West region has shown real leadership by developing this vision for a whole system approach to delivering housing, health and wellbeing outcomes for the older people they and their organisations serve.

The document also sets out the national policy context, the care sector workforce challenge and the evidence that integration of specialist housing and the use of technology enabled care facilitates independent living and can reduce demand for health and social care services. It warns that without a enabling innovative housing and care alternatives to flourish, the number of older people living in care homes in the North West is set to rise by 55%, to over 67,000 between 2015 and 2030.

The second part of the document includes case studies that show how organisations in the region are already working together to provide older people with high-quality housing and at home care and support services that improves their health and wellbeing.

Alex Walker, programme director for urgent care with NHS Pennine Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said:

"There is growing evidence of the significant impact that housing and communities has on the health and well-being of our population. We need a wide-ranging approach to tackle the challenges that a changing demographic poses to our local health and care system.

“As the case studies in this document illustrate, there are already some great innovations taking place and important developments in broadening conversations across the public sector – in its widest sense. It’s great that leaders from across the North West have come together to reinforce the need to recognise housing as a key driver and enabler for change.”

Dorothy Whitaker, vice chair of the Bridgewater NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“The initiatives outlined in the Vision document published today are a practical example of integrated care. They demonstrate how providers working in partnership can deliver better coordinated services to improve outcomes, experience and efficiency in the provision of housing and care support for older people.”

Paul Clitheroe programme manager for digital care and innovation with Liverpool CCG said:

“The Leadership Set provides space for its members to think differently, outside of their organisational and sector boxes. It offers members the opportunity to explore new ideas and alien concepts, and it is such opportunities that give rise to innovations developed in partnership - such as those showcased in the document.”