NATIONAL SERVICE FRAMEWOK FOR OLDER PEOPLE ANNOUNCED

The national service framework for older people has been
announced promising an end to discrimination against older people
in health and social care services.

The government has promised £120 million to refurbish
‘Nightingale wards’ in addition to £1.4 billion already
earmarked for investment in health and social care announced with
last year’s NHS Plan.

Each local authority will be expected to appoint ‘an older
patient champion’ to ensure there is no age discrimination in the
provision of services.

Ian Philp, national director of older people’s services, said
age discrimination should become “a thing of the past”.

“People in older age groups often have complex health needs,
including physical, mental and social aspects. Our services need to
mirror that situation. This will mean much closer working between
health and social care partners,” he said.

More detail to come later in fuller story