Improving services for older people

In 2007, Devon was awarded £3.8 million by the Department of Health to fund My Life, My Choice - Partnership for Older People’s Project.  

This multi million pound partnership between health trusts and social services was set to have the single biggest impact on the way we provide care for older people in Devon.  

The story so far

Picture of an older person with her carer

The project  tested new ways of providing services with and for older people. With the right support closer to home, older people can avoid hospital or care home admissions.  They will be supported to be healthy, active, and independent, have regard for their well-being and to participate fully in the community.

We produced a useful information leaflet on the projects

The partners were the Devon Primary Care Trust (PCT), Devon County Council Adult & Community Services (ACS), the Devon Partnership NHS Trust (DPT), Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust (NDHCT), South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (SDHCT), South Western Ambulance Services NHS Trust (SWAST), the Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation NHS Trust (RD&E) and the Voluntary Sector.

The programme helped in four main ways;

    • Creating Complex Care Teams – Health and Social Care Teams, working together in clusters based in market and coastal towns near to where people live.
    • Funding for development work which will provide ongoing support for Carers.