Dignity in hospitals

Age Cymru has welcomed the news that the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and North Wales’ local authorities are complying with 12 recommendations made by the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales to tackle poor practice in treating older patients in hospital.

The recommendations followed a damning report by the Commissioner that said the care that some older people had received in hospital was “shameful”.

Victoria Lloyd, Age Cymru’s Director of Influencing and Programme Development comments:

“Dignity and respect for older people must be the heart of health and care services – they are not optional extras.

“When older people enter a healthcare setting they should be able to feel confident that they will always be provided with the highest standards of compassionate care.

“Age Cymru is encouraged that the Commissioner’s report has led to changes on hospital wards in North Wales and we are hopeful that the implementation of these recommendations will lead to better care for older patients.

“However we are concerned by the announcement that five other health boards and the Welsh Government still need to provide further information to the Commissioner to demonstrate that they are taking the appropriate levels of action to allay concerns about the care received by older people in hospital”.