Ageism in NHS care?

Doctors highlight need for better NHS care for elderly
Ageism in healthcare is in the news after Help the Aged published research showing that many geriatricians consider the NHS to be institutionally ageist:

* 72% of 200 doctors said older people were less likely to be considered and referred on for essential treatments

* More than half the doctors said they themselves would be worried about how the NHS would treat them in old age

Respect, dignity and reducing health inequalities.

  Whilst many clinical teams - and their counterparts in social and community care - do a fantastic job, this research will come as little surprise to those who look after the elderly. As patient-centred care gains momentum and a priority across the NHS, with improved systems being put in place to measure and understand the experience of patients, it is vital that such systems truly harness the experience of all our patients - especially those for whom we need to strive hardest. Fully representing the views and experience of elderly patients and other "hard to reach" groups is an area in which iWantGreatCare has special interest and expertise, this new research reminds us all why such focus is so badly needed from all those providing or commissioning care.

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