A new health and wellbeing centre for older people has opened at Chase Farm Hospital.

People can be referred to the Older Person’s Assessment Unit by their GP for a specialist assessment if they are finding it difficult to cope at home after illness or if their health deteriorates.

Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust chairman Baroness Wall said: “This is a fantastic unit and it is really good to see people getting the assessments they need, which means they get the right treatment at the right place and the right time.

“Helping people to stay healthy and to live independently for longer means fewer unnecessary hospital admissions and shorter stays when they do need to be admitted to hospital.”

Staff at the unit will carry out full assessments including blood pressure and heart tests.

A treatment plan will be sent to the patient’s GP including recommendations such as changes to medication, therapy or other help and support they might need at home.

Unit manager Matilda Bruce-Acolatse said: “We are working very closely with GPs to provide this valuable service for people who are not well but who do not need to go to Accident and Emergency. I’m really looking forward to working in the unit and providing services in this new way.”

As well as working closely with GPs, the unit will provide links to other local services for older people such those in social care and voluntary services.