Older People Working Group
LINk Older People Work Group
The Older People Work Group is led by Brigitta Lock. The group is focusing on “Every Older Person Matters” and prioritised the following items; Falls Prevention, Volunteering by Older People, Taxicard, Visitors Pilot Parking Project, and Older People's Public Health. They will also be looking at the condition of Older People’s wards at St Mary’s Hospital and care of the elderly in local residential homes. Lastly they will be trying to encourage and promote volunteering opportunities for Older People. See the group's work plan.
In December 2009 the Older People Work Group conducted an Enter and View visit to three of the wards for older people at St Mary's Hospital.
LINk report and recommendations
Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust's response
LINk members did a follow up visit in September 2010
LINk report and recommendations
Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust's response
A further visit followed in November 2011
LINk report and reccomendations
Regulator the Care Quality Commission praised the LINk’s efforts in monitoring services and used our findings as part of its evidence in inspecting St Mary’s care. Read the CQC inspection reports from their visits on October and November 2011
In March and April 2010 the work group conducted Enter and View visits to three local residential homes. Carlton Dene, Westmead, and Norton House.
Carlton Dene report and recommendations
Westmead report and recommendations
Norton House report and recommendations
The LINK did follow up visits in October 2010
Benefits for Older People
One of the issues raised by the Older People Work Group is the lack of available information about benefits that older people are entitled to. The Pension Service offers advice to older people which tax credits and benefits they should be claiming. For general enquiries, contact the service on 0845 60 60 2 65. Alternatively, you can meet staff from the service weekly:
On Mondays, 1.30-4.30pm at Age Concern, Edgware Road, W2
On Wednesdays, 10am- 12pm at Marylebone Bangladesh Society, Samford St, NW8
On Thursdays, 10am-12pm at Porchester Library, Porchester Road, W2
On Fridays, 10am-12pm at Westminster One Stop, Church St, NW8 or 2-3pm at Queen's Park Library, 666 Harrow Road, W10
Keep Warm this Winter
If you are a Westminster resident, struggling to pay your fuel bills, and looking for help, contact the Warm and Healthy Homes advice line on 0800 072 9005. They provide free advice to help you get through the winter safely.
If you would like more information about this group, please contact:
Scott Ellis
LINk Officer- Westminster LINk
VAW, 37 Chapel St
London, NW1 5DP
020 75350499
Email: sellis@vawcvs.org