Health trusts and local councils have joined forces with police, fire, housing associations and other agencies to find more efficient ways of providing local services more tailored to local needs. They are working together to see how a 'whole area' approach to public services can lead to better services at less cost.

Each pilot area has its own theme and Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole's is services to older people. Recent figures show that more than 27% of Dorset's population is over retirement age – significantly higher than the national average of 18.7%.

And by 2025, the number of people aged over 85 in the county will double to more than 40,000.

The Total Place project is a real opportunity to deliver better services to older people by looking at the whole care system.

Money could be saved and services improved by:

• Avoiding hospital admissions where possible
• Increasing early intervention and prevention services
• Helping people regain skills after illness
• Helping people to remain independent in their own homes

Older people and public agencies have put forward their suggestions for improvement. Some of these have come from the very successful Partnership for Older People's Project (POPPs). A final report setting out the ideas was submitted to Government on 19th February 2010 and is available final report [829kb] (opens in a new window) as is the interim report - interim report [410kb] (opens in a new window).

The partners involved include the county council, the two unitary authorities, six district councils, two primary care trusts, fire and rescue services and the police. County council chief executive David Jenkins is chairman of the area's Total Place project board.

For more information about the national project, look at the Total Place (opens in a new window).

• Project Officer
  Name: Mr Chris Kippax
  Email: c.m.w.kippax@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 228283
  Full details for Mr Chris Kippax