Ambitions for a Healthy Kirklees Five Year Strategic Plan 2008 - 2013 : Revision March 2009
Gender: There is a specific programme of work related to Women of Child Bearing Age (WOCBA) which focuses on encouraging increased uptake of positive lifestyle choices to improve the health and wellbeing of Women of Child Bearing Age, specifically around diet, smoking, alcohol, and physical activity and including the effect of emotional well being on those choices. Our Healthy Pregnancy and Maternity Strategy’s principle objective is to “place women at the centre of their pregnancy journey by listening and supporting them to identify and address their needs across health and social care�, and there is extensive work being undertaken to review our maternity strategy during 2009 / 2010 to ensure these needs are addressed. We recognize that men are dying younger than women, and this will be addressed through the Long Term Conditions Programme, specifically for issues such as Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke.
Age: Older People: Population trends for older people in Kirklees reflect those taking place nationally and regionally. Projected growth in the numbers of older people is substantial, particularly for those between 75-79 years and those over 85. By 2015 there is expected to be an additional 14,700 people over 65. By 2025 there will be an additional 26,400 people over 65. Bringing the total population of 65 and over to 85,200 by 2025. This is a 45% increase in the older population, aged over 65. The largest growth will be seen in those aged over 85 years, with a projected growth of 58% equating to an additional 4,400 people (Total 12,000 people over 85 by 2025, 2.7% of the total population). The growth in the numbers of those aged over 85 is significant as they have substantially higher levels of dependency and therefore need for health and social care services. As the highest proportion of those people with a Long Term Condition are elderly, our LTC planning specifically focuses on this age group and aims to meet the individual requirements of people with long term conditions through high quality personalised care which offers choice and services commissioned to meet the needs as determined by the individual. Specific actions during 09/10 will include commisioning and implementing a risk stratification tool to identify people with LTCs, development / implementation of a generic care pathway and a self care pathway for LTC and overall to Improve our approach to LTC and introduce new pathways of care for service users with a sensory impairment.
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