Lewisham’s Proactive Ageing Well Service cuts emergency demand by half
The Proactive Ageing Well Service (PAWS) in Lewisham is helping older people stay well at home and avoid emergency care.
Run by NHS South East London, Lewisham Council and other community partners, PAWS supports older people who may be at risk of a health crisis by providing bringing care to their homes. The team carry out comprehensive geriatric assessments and then create a simple support plan that reflects what each person needs and what matters to them.
People using the service say they value the time, care and support they get during home visits.
For people supported by PAWS:
- emergency department visits have dropped by 51%
- unplanned hospital stays have dropped by 51%
- use of urgent community support has gone up by 139%
This shows a clear shift from hospital care to safe, proactive support at home. It supports national NHS plans that focus on prevention and neighbourhood‑based care.