Government ‘Failing’ To Protect Elderly, Opposition Parties Say

Opposition parties have condemned the government for failing to protect frail elderly patients entrusted into the care of national health services.

Liberal Democrat member of the committee Dr Evan Harris said the inquiry had uncovered “a litany of failure” to respect the basic human rights of older people. Mr Harris regretted that repeated evidence of neglect over recent years had not acted as a catalyst for action.

He said: “As a doctor I recognise that it is tempting for health services to treat individual patients according to their age and not their healthcare needs but that has to stop. It is clear that the delayed discharge rules, imposed by the government against clinical, political and social services opposition, work against the interests of older people in hospitals and must be repealed.”

The Department of Health responded to criticisms by reaffirming their determination to see the existing problems overcome. But the Conservatives expressed doubts that today’s report would compel Labour to enforce tighter legislation.

Shadow health minister, Stephen O’Brien, said the government must stop neglecting the social care sector. He claimed attention to this area has been long overdue, risking further harm to some of the most vulnerable people in our society. He said: “Going on Gordon Brown’s dismal record so far I fear that even the severity of this damning report will not give Labour the rocket it needs to help elderly people in care.”