It is estimated that there are currently almost 200,000 people aged over 65 in Hertfordshire, which is only expected to increase as time moves on. Elderly health and social care services for the elderly in Hertfordshire are provided by the NHS, Hertfordshire County Council and other community organisations, delivered in homes, hospitals, hospices, care homes and more.
This page will help you to make sense of elderly care in Hertfordshire, including how NHS services are broken down, what Hertfordshire’s major hospitals are and details on the specialist mental health services available for older people.
If your relative needs help getting to and from healthcare appointments, you may want to take a look at Age Space’s page on Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services in Hertfordshire.
NHS Services for the Elderly in Hertfordshire
Integrated Care Systems in Hertfordshire
Health services in Hertfordshire are the responsibility of the Hertfordshire & West Essex Integrated Care System (ICS). The ICS manages anything that relates to healthcare in Hertfordshire, which can involve general hospitals, GP services and mental health services, as well as smaller, local hospitals and community care services.
Hertfordshire's Major Hospitals
Hospitals provide many of the healthcare services for older people and Hertfordshire is lucky enough to have a large number of options. Below you can find links to the major hospitals across Hertfordshire.
Lister Hospital and Watford General Hospital both have Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments.
Lister Hospital, Stevenage
- Address: Lister Hospital, Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage, SG1 4AB
- Telephone: 01438 314333
- Visit Website
Hertford County Hospital, Hertford
- Address: Hertford County Hospital, North Rd, Hertford, SG14 1LP
- Telephone: 01438 314333
- Visit Website
New QEII Hospital, Welwyn Garden City
- Address: New QEII Hospital, Howlands, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4HQ
- Telephone: 01438 314333
- Visit Website
Hemel Hempstead Hospital, Hemel Hempstead
- Address: Hemel Hempstead Hospital, Hillfield Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4AD
- Telephone: 01442 213141
- Visit Website
St. Albans City Hospital, St. Albans
- Address: St. Albans City Hospital, Waverley Road, St. Albans, AL3 5PN
- Telephone: 01727 866122
- Visit Website
Watford General Hospital
- Address: Watford General Hospital, Vicarage Road, Watford, WD18 0HB
- Telephone: 01727 866122
- Visit Website
Finding a GP in Hertfordshire
GP services are usually to be the first point of contact for older people who need to discuss their health. You can use the NHS GP Directory to find your nearest GP by typing in your postcode.
NHS Trusts in Hertfordshire
NHS Trusts are a further subdivision of healthcare services which are responsible for their delivery within local communities, as commissioned by the ICS. Each Trust is either responsible for a geographic area, or for the delivery of particular, specialist health services.
There are 4 NHS Trusts responsible for community health services in Hertfordshire. You can find out more about the services provided by each NHS Trust through the links below.
End of Life Care in Hertfordshire
End of life and palliative care services in Hertfordshire are provided by the NHS and from hospices. You can find out about the services on offer in Age Space’s guide to Palliative Care in Hertfordshire.
Booking a Care Needs Assessment in Hertfordshire
A Care Needs Assessment is the means by which Hertfordshire County Council can determine how much social care support an individual needs. This will help them to organise a care and funding plan, as well as to refer people to other relevant health and care services. You can read more about care needs assessments and how to arrange one in Age Space’s guide to Care Needs Assessments in Hertfordshire.
Specialist Mental Health Services for the Elderly in Hertfordshire
Mental Health services for older people in Hertfordshire are provided by the Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Trust. The services provided by the Older People’s Mental Health teams reflect the wide variety of mental health requirements that older people may have, including dementia support.
Most referrals to older people’s mental health services are made by the GP, but other health professionals, such as those working in a care home, can also make referrals. It is also possible to make a self-referral for your relative, but you may need to speak to your relative’s GP if there are recent changes to their physical or mental health. The number for making a self-referral is 0800 6444 101.
Older people’s mental health services in Hertfordshire are divided into four quadrants, based on the local authorities. Each of these community teams delivers four functions: a community team, a crisis function, a therapy function and an Early Memory Diagnosis and Support Service (EMDASS). For more information on all of these services, you can visit the Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Trust website, or get in touch with one of the teams through the contact details provided below.
East Hertfordshire
- Areas Covered: Broxbourne Borough, East Hertfordshire District, WelHat Borough
- Telephone: 01707 364003
- Email: [email protected]
North Hertfordshire
- Areas Covered: North Hertfordshire District, Stevenage Borough
- Telephone: 01438 792190
- Email: [email protected]
North West Hertfordshire
- Areas Covered: Dacorum Borough, St. Albans City & District
- Telephone: 01442 275628
- Email: [email protected]
South West Hertfordshire
- Areas Covered: Hertsmere Borough, Three Rivers District, Watford Borough
- Telephone: 01923 837148
- Email: [email protected]
Home Care in Hertfordshire
Home Care, or Domiciliary Care is professional care provided in the comfort of your own home. These services can allow your elderly relative to maintain the independence of living at home, whilst giving you the peace of mind that they’re being taken care of.
You can use Age Space’s own Home Care Directory to look for suitable home care that’s in your area:
