Shropshire health team to help over-85 needs

A special health team is being set up in Shropshire to deal with the needs of the increasing number of over-85s.

Figures from Shropshire Council show the number of those in that age group is estimated to rise from 7,000 people in 1996 to 20,600 in 2031.

The community hospital trust is working with the acute hospitals in Shrewsbury and Telford to set up the team.

It will include doctors, nurses, social workers and therapists who specialise in the needs of the elderly.

Officials behind the plans said they hoped it would mean more elderly patients could be treated in their own homes rather than hospitals, which they said was better for patients and better for saving money.