British Geriatrics Society

Wolverhampton’s Rapid Intervention Team or RITS to those locally, is now a fairly large team. 21 registered nurses between bands 6 to 8a, 3 HCAs, 1 administrative assistant and 1 consultant in Care of the Elderly. At any one time, we have between 160 and 180 people under our care, and have seen emergency hospital admissions of people over the age of 75 decrease by 8.5% in Wolverhampton in the year 2017/8.

Both mental health and old age continue to attract stigma. It is hardly a surprise, therefore, that ageism in relation to mental health issues continues to blight society and that it remains a major problem in the NHS – the very institution intended to promote health and well-being.

Health leaders have come together to develop the NHS Long Term Plan to make the NHS fit for the future. The plans, drawn up by patient groups, frontline staff, and a variety of experts, set out the key ambitions for improvements in services in every part of England that aim to improve the lives of many people.