Pioneer health campaign praised (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Pioneer health campaign praised

7:40pm Saturday 12th July 2008 in News By Claire Lomax

A pioneering mental health programme for older people has been praised by the Department of Health.

Bradford & Airedale Older People’s Health in Mind Programme is led by Bradford Council’s Adult Services. It has received national recognition for the positive impact it has had. An official at the health department praised the achievements from the first two years of the programme and has agreed with the Council for evidence from the end-of-year report to be reproduced as part of national guidance.

The report shows how the programme’s five projects aimed at improving mental health support in the community for older people has transformed people’s lives by giving them a great sense of purpose.

The five projects are Community Involvement, Leading and Teaching in Mental Health and Intensive Support Teams, the Managed Care Network and Telecare.

Councillor Dale Smith, executive member for adult services, said: “This report really highlights what a difference the programme has made to people’s lives and not just those directly affected by mental health but their carers and people who support them on a professional and voluntary basis.”

Graham Moore, commissioning manager at Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust (tPCT), said: “This project reflects the positive joint working going on across the district to improve older people’s health and wellbeing.

“Encouraging people to look after their mental health, which in turn helps their families and carers, can make a big difference to so many lives.”