Age UK response to Quest for Quality report

Age UK response to the BGS report Quest for Quality

In response to the British Geriatrics Society (BGS) new report, Quest for Quality: inquiry into healthcare for care homes, published 00.01 30 June 2011, Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age UK, said:

'The fact that up to 400,000 older people living in care homes, who could benefit greatly from good quality healthcare, are being offered a second rate health service is yet another example of how older people are consistently failed in so many areas of their care.

'Too often responsibility for care home residents' health needs falls between gaps in the system and end up being ignored. A lack of regular contact with a GP is not only bad for patients, it also increases pressure on more expensive out of hours and emergency services.

'Age UK welcomes the British Geriatric Society's recommendations for improving the care available to some of the most vulnerable people in society. The NHS locally can not claim to be offering a comprehensive service if the needs of care home residents are not taken more seriously.

'As the Government reforms the NHS, Health Minister Andrew Lansley and Care Minister Paul Burstow must ensure the new NHS Commissioning Board takes responsibility and shows clear leadership on this issue. We cannot continue to let down older people living in care homes in this way.'

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Age UK

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Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

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