Fig 1: Strategic themes 2.1.2 Review of environmental context- has anything changed? The outcome of the Trust’s planning review of the strategic context and environmental factors has confirmed that the former NHS to Action’ challenges as set out in our ‘Call strategic plan 2014 remain current: Demography: Ageing population - projections remain true for a stepped increase both in those aged over 65 years and significantly those aged 85 years and over, the section of the population with the greatest care needs. Gateshead population has a higher percentage of older people than the national average with 21% of people above state pensionable age compared with 19% nationally and 20% in the North East of England as a whole. The impact of an aging population is reinforced during winter months with the number of older patients admitted and an extended length of stay for this age group. This is reflected in activity and the measures required to service capacity to cope with the surge in demand (Figure ‘escalate’ 2); Poor health status - people in Gateshead continue to suffer more illness and early death than the national average and there are still marked variances in life expectancy and ill-health across the Borough (variance in life expectancy is 8.9 years for men and 9.4 for women across local authority wards); More than a quarter of Gateshead’s population has a long term condition (LTC) a significant number of whom have three or more LTCs; Deprivation and lifestyle choices continue to impact significantly upon health and demand upon health services. Source: Gateshead Strategic plan 2014/15-2018/19 and Gateshead Joint Strategic Needs Assessment-Interim Report 2014). Fig 2: Managing winter Austerity The overall context of austerity and financial challenge facing our health economy and the NHS nationally remains and continues to impact upon provision across all care sectors and interdependencies with high levels of demand increasing year on year, exacerbated by an aging population with complex needs.
Fig 1: Strategic themes 2.1.2 Review of environmental context- has anything changed? The outcome of the Trust’s planning review of the strategic context and environmental factors has confirmed that the former NHS ‘Call to Action’ challenges as set out in our strategic plan 2014 remain current: Demography: Ageing population - projections remain true for a stepped increase both in those aged over 65 years and significantly those aged 85 years and over, the section of the population with the greatest care needs. Gateshead population has a higher percentage of older people than the national average with 21% of people above state pensionable age compared with 19% nationally and 20% in the North East of England as a whole. The impact of an aging population is reinforced during winter months with the number of older patients admitted and an extended length of stay for this age group. This is reflected in activity and the measures required to ‘escalate’ service capacity to cope with the surge in demand (Figure 2); Poor health status - people in Gateshead continue to suffer more illness and early death than the national average and there are still marked variances in life expectancy and ill-health across the Borough (variance in life expectancy is 8.9 years for men and 9.4 for women across local authority wards); More than a quarter of Gateshead’s population has a long term condition (LTC) a significant number of whom have three or more LTCs; Deprivation and lifestyle choices continue to impact significantly upon health and demand upon health services. Source: Gateshead Strategic plan 2014/15-2018/19 and Gateshead Joint Strategic Needs Assessment-Interim Report 2014). Fig 2: Managing winter Austerity The overall context of austerity and financial challenge facing our health economy and the NHS nationally remains and continues to impact upon provision across all care sectors and interdependencies with high levels of demand increasing year on year, exacerbated by an aging population with complex needs.
Op%20Plan%20summary%20for%20publicationv2%20May%202015%20%283%29.docx