Official launch marks new era in healthy ageing
Over 200 guests gathered close to the Olympic Stadium in the heart of East London to celebrate the launch of the Academic Centre for Healthy Ageing
Attendees from across health and social care, academia, the voluntary sector, and our diverse local communities heard from speakers including the President of the British Geriatrics Society, Professor Jugdeep Dhesi, and the NHS National Clinical Director for Older People and Integrated Personal Care, Dr Tom Downes.
The audience also heard from ACHA’s three newly appointed professors – Professor Adam Gordon MBE, Professor Liz Sampson, and Professor Hamish Simpson.
The three professors set out some of the ways in which the landmark collaboration will improve the health, wellbeing, and care of older adults in north-east London and beyond. The trio highlighted the focus on working with local communities and tapping into the collective power that exists across our integrated care system, ACHA’s ability to draw on and bring in world-class expertise, and the opportunities created by crossing traditional boundaries to bring research and clinical work together to improve both mental and physical health.
During panel discussions, speakers including Barts Charity Chief Executive Fiona Miller Smith, Professor Jo Martin (QMUL), Dr Claire Dow (Whipps Cross Hospital) and Dr Tom Downes addressed some of the key challenges to healthy ageing, including the need to shift assessments from hospitals to people’s homes, breaking down workforce silos through research engagement, using technology to coordinate care and reduce administrative burden, and changing narratives about what’s possible in older age.
Speaking after the launch event Dr Amanjit Jhund, Whipps Cross Hospital Chief Executive, said:
“At a time of transformation in health and care, we’re ready to seize the opportunity to lead change, shape national priorities, and deliver research that puts prevention and people at the heart of the system. We invite partners who share our vision to join us on this journey.”