Too many drugs prescribed to older people say readers

An overwhelming majority of visitors to Community Care’s website
say drugs are over-prescribed to older people in residential
care.

Eighty five per cent responded to the online poll by saying in
their experience older people are given too many drugs, with only
15 per cent disagreeing.

Paul Burstow, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for older
people, said older people in care homes were the victims of a
“chemical cosh” after receiving a parliamentary answer from health
minister Jacqui Smith that one in three health authorities reported
a rise of over 50 per cent in prescribing.

This week’s question asks: Was the high court right to delay the
disciplinary hearing of the social workers involved in the Victoria
Climbie case? See news story on page 3.

To vote in this week’s survey go to www.community-care.co.uk