GP Navigation
Service Update
We regret to inform you that Age UK Lewisham and Southwark’s GP Navigation service will no longer be funded, and is now being decommissioned.
The cut off point for new referrals will be Friday 30th July 2021. The project will officially end in September 2021.
From August 2021 we encourage GPs to refer patients to NHS Link Workers via Elemental. We will be arranging a final workshop in August to share our knowledge on what is available in the borough. There will be time for Q&A. You will have the opportunity to speak to one of our GP Navigators, Ageing Well Hub Facilitator and/or NHS Link Worker.
We would also like to take a moment to thank you for all your support. We have been successfully running this service for almost 5 years because of your help in identifying socially isolated older people who have health and social care needs.
Please click here to download our newsletter outlining some of our successes.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our GP Navigators support older people aged 60+ living in the Borough of Southwark to participate in their local community and access the full range of services available, including leisure and social activities. This is called social prescribing.
Working in partnership with health and social care services we promote physical and mental wellbeing including through seeking to address underlying causes of people’s social care needs.
We can also refer you to our in-house Information and Advice service, Handyperson or for help with shopping our Food 2 You and Shop and Drop service.
We accept referrals from our designated GP Surgeries and NHS Link Workers.
Here are some examples of the different types of things we can help with; NB this is not exhaustive, so please contact us for further information:
Social:
- There are a Variety of orgs offering online groups/ activities
- Some face to face groups
- Telephone befriending
*we are linked in/work closely with these partner agencies so will have information as it changes
Support with IT and telephone related:
- IT support at home, groups,
- Nuisance calls and call barring
Housing issues:
- Liaising with council e.g. follow up repairs, d/c issues
- Support with complaint procedures
- Liaising with housing officers
Mental health and memory:
- Linking in, collaborative work with: Alzheimer society, memory clinic, CMHT, other Mental health charities.
- Counselling services and emotional support- telephone and online
Health:
- Walking and exercise groups (a few in person, some online)
- Dancing (dementia, general health) and singing (COPD, dementia)
- Liaising with GP surgeries, OPAU
Carers:
- Emotional support, benefits, groups, respite
Other:
- Applying for grants- e.g. white goods, paying debt
- Food delivery services
- Disabled transport applications
- Information and booklets: Wills, power attorney, healthy eating, care homes, benefits, pension.