THE NHS and local authorities should be planning now for a significant rise in the number of frail elderly, the county s director of public health says in a new report. Dr Liz Robin, joint director of public health at Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust and

THE NHS and local authorities should be planning now for a significant rise in the number of frail elderly, the county's director of public health says in a new report.

Dr Liz Robin, joint director of public health at Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust and Cambridgeshire County Council, has published her annual report setting our key recommendations to address local health and care needs.

These include putting greater effort into reducing smoking, particularly among young people in East Cambridgeshire and Fenland, tackling obesity, improving social cohesion and tackling road safety.

She added: "Joint planning between Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust, Cambridgeshire County Council and district councils is required to meet the needs of the growing older population in a way that will maintain older people's independence and quality of life.

"It will also provide appropriate levels of adapted and supported housing, and ensure appropriate models of health and social care services within local communities."

She also stressed that implementation of the Child Health Promotion Programme across the county should continue to be a priority for local NHS community health services. This includes a holistic antenatal and postnatal family health needs assessment, and targeting services to those with the greatest needs.

And she was particularly concerned about tackling the health needs of people in economically deprived areas, particularly children and traveller communities.