NHS South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have undertaken a procurement for the provision of a Social Navigator Service for the South Tyneside locality.

It is proposed that the service will aim to improve the quality of care to older people in the community which will provide the following benefits:

— More effective management of elderly patients in community settings; including the patient's home, improving the quality of life and allowing them to live independently for longer;

— A raised awareness of the provision of voluntary and third sector organisation and the roll they can play in helping patients care for themselves in the community;

— Increased provision of support to primary care colleagues, helping to manage elderly patients in the community;

— Increased utilisation of voluntary and third sector organisation within South Tyneside;

— Prevention of admissions to secondary care for reasons of social isolation;

— Reduce the amount of time spent avoidably in hospital;

— Better coordinated community care;

— Full integration into locality integrated teams; and

— Promotion of a Better U.