Proactive Ageing Well Service (PAWS)
Proactive Ageing Well Service (PAWS) is a service dedicated to supporting older adults who have complex health needs. It is offered in a planned way, not at the point of a new urgent health issue.
Our specialist Ageing Well team offer a comprehensive assessment to help you maintain your health and independence.
Our team consists of a consultant doctor, and ageing well practitioners from nursing or therapy backgrounds, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy. They all specialise in the health of older people.
What we offer
Comprehensive assessment designed for people aged 65 and over: A thorough evaluation of your physical, mental and social health, tailored to your needs. We will discuss with you any health concerns you may have and may include a physical examination and assessment of your walking and movement.
Support: Early identification and management of issues to help prevent problems like falls, confusion and the need for hospital visits.
A personalised care plan: We work closely with you to create a plan of care that fits your lifestyle and preferences, often helping you stay in your own home, and stay as independent as possible.
A personalised care plan: We work closely with you to create a plan of care that fits your lifestyle and preferences, often helping you stay in your own home, and stay as independent as possible.
Who can benefit?
This service is for people aged 65 or over who are registered with a Lewisham GP. You could benefit from PAWS if you:
- Have multiple health conditions that are impacting your life and/or
- Move more slowly than you used to and are needing more support from others for example with medication or practical tasks at home and/or
- If you feel you lose your balance, are starting to fall or struggling to get around
Why PAWS?
By identifying any challenges or potential issues early, we want to ensure that you are empowered to stay well with the support of NHS services at the right time and in the right place.
We can help you manage any long-term conditions like diabetes and heart problems.
We can look at how you are taking your medicine, or whether you can or want to get out of the house a bit more.
We want to support you and help you to figure out what might make your life easier and more enjoyable.
How to get support from PAWS
Please talk to your GP if you think you would benefit from our input. Your GP can make a referral to our service.
The PAWS team also works with your GP, University Hospital Lewisham and other community services to identify people who may benefit from a comprehensive assessment. If we feel someone might benefit, we phone them to see if you would like our support.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm
Phone: 020 8314 7777, option 2
Email: LH.adultreferrals@nhs.net
What happens once you have been referred to us?
After you have been referred to us, we will call you within 7 days to ask some questions about any areas of your life that you feel are challenging.
We will then either:
- Arrange a home visit (within 4 weeks of referral)
- Refer you to other teams who specialise in your area of concern.
During the home visit we will explore what matters to you, what causes you problems and give you information about treatment options, so that you can make informed choices about any treatment and care you receive. We will then work with you to create a personalised plan of care centred around what matters most to you.
We will send you and your GP a copy of your assessment which includes your personalised care plan. It will also be available to other healthcare providers involved in your care.
Referral guidance for professionals
Referrals to PAWS can be made by completing the referral form linked below. and emailing it to the Single Point of Access (SPA) team at LH.adultreferrals@nhs.net
Contact the Single Point of Access team
Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 8pm – 5pm
Telephone: 020 8314 7777 (option 2)
Email: LH.adultreferrals@nhs.net