A NEW film by Healthwatch Essex has shed light on the importance of keeping elderly people healthy.

The work has been commissioned by the Essex Success Regime, which is looking to reconfigure health and care services in mid and south Essex over the coming years.

The Success Regime will implement a range of measures including reducing expenditure on agency staff, lifting pressure on emergency services and ensuring the health and care system is financially stable.

Dr David Sollis, Engagement Manager at Healthwatch Essex, said: “Of course it is important the Success Regime looks to make our health and care systems more efficient and patient focused, not to mention financially viable.

“But we also need to look at the major issues that impact on the health of the people of Essex. Frailty is a huge challenge for a growing number of people and looking to find ways to encourage those people to understand their frailty and remain fit and active has the potential to make a significant impact.

“While it may be a hackneyed cliché, prevention really is better than cure – both for the individual and for the healthcare system.”

Filming at Canvey Fit Health and Fitness Club they spoke to older people who regularly exercised.

The film provides insight into concerns people have around becoming older and the capacity to take control of their wellbeing.

Many of the those featured have significant health issues.

There is also a podcast on the same subject featuring a conversation about frailty involving a GP, a patient, a programme director from the Success Regime and the chief executive for Age UK Essex.

Visit www.healthwatchessex.org.uk.