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College of Medicine launches Healthy Ageing innovation award

The College of Medicine (CoM) has launched an award for innovative, patient-centred, healthy ageing services, following warnings that Britain’s ageing population is growing at its fastest rate since the nineteenth century.

The College would like to encourage entries from healthy ageing services that best embody its principles of service, science and healing. It strongly believes there should be more empathy in elderly care. The closing date for entries is 13 February 2012.

Shortlisted projects will be celebrated at an awards ceremony and invited to attend the CoM's annual conference at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists on 3 May 2012.

2012 is the European year of Active Ageing and the announcement of the College’s award is timely following Office of National Statistics figures projecting that eight times as many people are expected to celebrate their 100th birthday in 2035, rising from 13,000 in 2010 to 110,000 in 2035.

Statisticians say the oldest age groups in the UK are also the fastest growing and the College believes that NHS services will be put under increasing pressure if medical professionals do not drive innovative healthy ageing practices so patients can enjoy comfortable retirement.

“Our ageing population will need to be cared for with comparatively fewer resources and we need a completely new perspective on health and ageing to meet this challenge,” said Dr Michael Dixon, Chair of the College of Medicine and government advisor.

“Care of the elderly has come under scrutiny recently and the media has highlighted several shocking examples of abuse and neglect. There are many examples of projects that are working in a compassionate and patient-centred, professional way. This award will shine a light on living examples of innovation; patient-centered, healthy ageing practices and projects that exemplify the College’s key principles: Service, Science and Healing.”

The winning practice will receive a cash prize of £1,500, a four minute documentary about their project by NICE TV, plus ‘Demonstration Site’ status and an enhanced profile on the CoM website. They will also be given one complimentary place at the CoM annual conference on 3 May 2012 and one complimentary place at a pre-Conference workshop of their choice on 2 May 2012 as well as the opportunity to promote their practice within the conference delegate material.

Up to two runners up will receive a cash prize of £750, a complimentary place at the conference and workshop, plus ‘Demonstration Site’ status and an enhanced profile on the CoM website.
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Notes for Editors
1. The Innovations Award is an annual programme of the College of Medicine. It is in its second year. For more information visit: www.collegeofmedicine.org.uk
2. The College of Medicine is an alliance of doctors, nurses, allied professionals, practitioners and patients. It is committed to a patient-centred NHS and a new relationship between science, clinical opinion and patient choice. It is also committed to a more cost-effective NHS, providing better opportunities for individual and community health and self care.
For more information please contact: Helen Cooke at the College of Medicine Tel. 07905 383 203; email: helen.cooke@collegeofmedicine.org.uk