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Half of doctors say NHS is ageist

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Just days after the publication of the NHS constitution, promising equal treatment regardless of age, new research shows almost half of doctors specialising in the care of older people think that the NHS is institutionally ageist.

The research carried out for Help the Aged also found an overwhelming three quarters (77 per cent) of British Geriatrics Society (BGS) members would support the introduction of legislation against age discrimination in the NHS.

The Government has announced age discrimination legislation will be part of the forthcoming Equality Bill - but current proposals mean the regulations protecting older people in health and social care may not be approved before the next election.

Help the Aged is calling on the Government to review their timetable as a matter of urgency. If they do not, older people may be left to wait over a year before the regulations the Government promised older people are even drafted.

Well over half (55 per cent) of the doctors from the BGS said they themselves would be worried about how the NHS will treat them in old age.

Each day without a new law, older people risk being ignored, misdiagnosed or even denied appropriate treatment

Main findings of the HtA survey of BGS members:

  • Almost half (47%) of BGS members think the NHS is institutionally ageist.
  • Three quarters (77%) of BGS members would support the introduction of legislation against age discrimination in the NHS.
  • Well over half (55%) of BGS members said they themselves would be worried about how the NHS will treat them in old age.
  • Two thirds (66%) of BGS members agreed that in their experience, older people are less likely to have their symptoms fully investigated.
  • Seven out of ten (72%) BGS members said older people were also less likely to be considered and referred on for essential treatments.

Kate Jopling, Head of Public Affairs for Help the Aged, says: 'The Government has taken a bold step towards protecting older people but they are at risk of stumbling before they complete the first stride. Each day without a new law, older people risk being ignored, misdiagnosed or even denied appropriate treatment. Older people have a right to fair health care, free from ageist prejudice.

'The right time to pass the new age regulations is alongside the new bill, so that older people will be protected as soon as possible. If this opportunity is missed, older people could be left waiting indefinitely for the same protections other groups already enjoy.'

Alex Mair, Chief Executive of the British Geriatrics Society, says: 'What this research makes clear is that the NHS is currently failing older people. We need to ensure that patients of all ages receive the very best care, regardless of their age. '

Help the Aged Press Release
published end of January 2009

BGS Newsletter, March 2009
Issue 20 ISSN 1748-6343 20
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