Rural Health Week 2012

Commenting on the news that this year's Rural Health Week will be concentrating on the needs of our ageing population, Age Cymru's Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Graeme Francis says:

"We welcome the fact that Rural Health Week this year will be turning its attention to the needs of older people in rural Wales.

"It's vital that people of all ages are able to access the services and facilities in their local communities that they need to lead rich and fulfilling lives.

"Perhaps in the current climate of budget cutbacks, it is too easy for society to overlook the importance of protecting our local services, and this is why Rural Health Week is so important.

"Age Cymru's ground-breaking research project the Community Calendar highlighted significant public concerns about public toilets across Wales, the state of pavements in our communities, and a lack of places to meet and socialise.

"Rural Health Week will give us the opportunity to revisit the important debate that society must have about the need to protect neighbourhoods and communities across the country."

Rural Health Week 2012 runs from September 23 to 29.