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As the media continues to focus on the implications of our ageing population, the BGS has been contributing to public debate.

In December, Graham Mulley and David Oliver addressed the Guardian’s Older People and Ageing Britain Conference 2009. Graham Mulley participated in a panel debate on the role of supported housing and how we care for older people, while David Oliver discussed the challenges for services for an ageing population and how they will have to adapt. Another BGS member, Desmond O’Neill, provided an overview of what is happening in other countries, in his capacity as President Elect of the EUGMS. Professor O’Neill also took part in an Economist Intelligence Unit webcast on the future of ageing.

The BGS’ opposition to age discrimination in the NHS was noted on the Parliamentary record during a Westminster Hall debate on age discrimination in healthcare, which was secured by Paul Burstow MP in December. In the course of the debate, Greg Mulholland MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Minister, referred to the findings of the BGS/Help the Aged survey of geriatricians’ views regarding the prevalence of ageism in the NHS.

We have received attention in the national consumer and trade press. We issued a joint press release with the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) relating to the findings of recent research into continence and linked to the launch of the 2010 national audit of continence care. The Daily Express, the BMJ and the Nursing Times reported on the findings, including a quote from Jackie Morris in her capacity as BGS dignity lead. Following interest in the research, Adrian Wagg has written further articles for publication in the National Health Executive and Nursing Times.

After presenting the results of the BGS pilot audit of intermediate care services at Harrogate, Duncan Forsyth and John Young were interviewed for a feature in the Health Service Journal. They highlighted the importance of data collection and the need to develop standards for intermediate care.

We collaborated with the RCP on another joint press release, this time focusing on research, published in the December issue of Clinical Medicine, which looked at geriatricians’ involvement in care homes and the level of PCT commissioning for care homes. The findings were picked up by the magazine Community Care, which highlighted that care home residents lack access to specialist doctors. The Care Quality Commission is now looking at the data in the context of their ongoing review of the healthcare needs of care home residents.

Iona-Jane Harris
PR and Parliamentary Affairs Officer

BGS Newsletter, February 2010
Issue 25 ISSN 1748-634000 25