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14 May 2008

Inpatient survey results show 'unacceptable variations' in quality of care

Help the Aged today responded to the results of the Healthcare Commission's INpatient survey of hospitals in 2007.  
 
Charlotte Potter, Senior Health Policy Officer at Help the Aged, said: 'These results show the NHS is achieveing high levels of patient satisfaction with overall care, but there are unacceptable variations around the country. Scores in some trusts were worryingly low when it came to being treated with dignity and respect or receiving help with eating - areas of care particularly important to older people.

'Help the Aged believes we are all entitled to equal quality of care, but these variations show this is not currently happening - and older people will often be the ones bearing the brunt.   
 
'Help the Aged is campaigning for age discrimination to be outlawed, and has called on the Government to include age as part of the equalities bill.

Notes for Editors:

For more information about the Help the Aged 's ‘Just Equal Treatment’ campaign please visit www.helptheaged.org.uk/justequaltreatment

 Right care, Right deal is the new national campaign launched to build public awareness and support for the need for brave and innovative solutions for the social care system. With the Government indicating that social care is an urgent political priority, and in advance of the expected green paper later in 2008, the campaign combines three of the UK’s largest charities working with and for older people and their families and carers, and will urge the government to renew its vision for the future of social care in England. Visit www.rightcare.org.uk

Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation, neglect and ageism. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services: information and advice, home support and community living, including international development work. These are supported by its paid-for services and fundraising activities - which aim to increase funding in the future to respond to the growing unmet needs of disadvantaged older people. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.

Help the Aged urgently needs donations and support to help it in the increasingly challenging fight to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect. Visit www.helptheaged.org.uk or call 0207 239 1982.