Working with voluntary sector is way forward

Published: 11/4/2002, Volume II2, No. 5800 Page 26

I read with interest the news focus, 'Ladies who launch' (28 February).

The Women's Royal Voluntary Service is not the only organisation to have volunteers who visit isolated people in their own homes. North Hampshire primary care trust has set up Home Focus, a home-visiting scheme whereby trained volunteers visit people for purely social reasons and thus prevent incidents of ill health and hospital admission. Referrals come from district nurses, health visitors and GPs.

Isolation is known to be a major cause of ill health (especially in elderly people), and you are absolutely correct that working with the voluntary sector is the way forward.

Sue Henderson Voluntary services manager North Hampshire PCT