Older People Deserve Better

3.10.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 27th Sep 2007

Responding to the report published today by the Health Commission into the care of older people in NHS hospitals across the UK which found that only five out of twenty three complied with all the government's core standards for dignity in care, local Liberal Democrat MP, Dr Evan Harris said:

"Poor treatment of vulnerable older people in hospitals is simply unacceptable.

Dr Harris, who is a member of the Joint Select Committee on Human Rights which recently conducted an inquiry into the Human Rights of Older People in Healthcare said:

"Our inquiry found strong evidence of ageism within healthcare for older people and a failure to respect and protect their human rights. As a member of the committee, I am calling for equality for older people in health and residential care with respect for their human rights central to their care."

Eight trusts - including Oxford Radcliffe Hosptials NHS trust - received formal warnings for failing to meet core standards in the care of older people.

"Many of the problems in the provision of healthcare for older people identified by the Health Commissions' report are due to a shortage of staffing. The dignity of older people should be central and staff should receive targeted training and support to help them deliver this, but until there are enough nurses to be able to give each individual patient the time and care they need, these problems will remain."

Related Links:

Joint Committee on Human Rights, Eighteenth report of session 2006-07, The Human Rights of Older People in Healthcare, available here: .

Caring for Dignity: A national report for dignity in care for older people while in hospital - available here:.