New forum overseeing Ageing Strategy to meet in early 2017

A Department spokesperson said the first meeting of this forum would take place early next year.

The NPAS was first published in 2013 and it provides a framework for cooperation to address age-related policy and service delivery across Government and society.

In recent months, NGOs and some experts have raised concerns about the slowness of implementation of aspects of the Strategy.

Chair of the RCPI Policy Group on Ageing, Prof Des O’Neill, told the <em>Medical Independent (MI)</em> that he shared some of the concerns raised by Age Action Ireland and others. “There does seem to be a lack of impulse and drive in its implementation. We certainly feel that there has been a loss of momentum,” said Prof O’Neill.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said it is currently working on arrangements that will lead to a “renewed implementation phase of the Strategy”.

One aspect of this renewed implementation is an “annual forum” which will bring together “stakeholders and departments/agencies”.

The Department has recently “formulated new arrangements to implement and monitor the NPAS”, said the spokesperson.

“These structures will re-commit to the core principles of the Strategy, and inform how the State approaches older person’s services into the future.

“The new proposals will see the introduction of an annual forum for stakeholders and Departments/Agencies, with the first such forum taking place in early 2017.

“Structures will be implemented for engagement between relevant Government Departments and state agencies and relevant stakeholders on how the Strategy’s principles are being applied.

“Arrangements are currently being made to commence this renewed implementation phase of the Strategy.”

See feature – <a title=”A seasoned approach to care ” href=”../97690/a_seasoned_approach_to_care”>www.medicalindependent.ie/97690/a_seasoned_approach_to_care</a>