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News
17 April 2009
South West Leads The Way To End Age Discrimination
Health Secretary Alan Johnson has announced that Sir Ian Carruthers, OBE, Chief Executive of the South West Strategic Health Authority and Jan Ormondroyd, Chief Executive of Bristol City Council, will lead an in-depth review of how the NHS and social care can effectively tackle discrimination against older people.
The South West has the highest proportion of over 65s in the country – 21% - and this is expected to increase to 45% by 2021. In addition, the region has the highest life expectancy in England – 78 years for men and 82 years for women – and is striving to improve this even further, to match the longest life expectancy in Europe by 2013.
In a speech to a conference hosted by charities Help the Aged and Age Concern, which have merged, Mr Johnson said old age no longer begins at 65, with many people remaining active well beyond that.
People in their 60s and 70s are more likely to be riding a mountain bike than playing dominoes in their local day centre, he said.
He warned the conference that because of increasing life expectancy and the growing numbers of elderly people would pose serious problems for society and the economy meaning automatic retirement at 65 would have to be “consigned to history”.
While the facts about ageing have changed 'the fiction remains' he said, meaning that in work and in healthcare, older people are treated differently because of their age.
The South West Strategic Health Authority has set out its vision to reduce health inequalities of all kinds in its Strategic Framework For Improving Health In the South West 2008/9 to 2010/11.
Jan Ormondroyd, Chief Executive at Bristol City Council, said: “It is good news that people are living longer in Bristol and the rest of the South West. However, it will require all of us in the public sector to work differently and to change the way we think about older people - both as our employees and as the customers we deliver services and support to. This work will help inform the efforts of all public agencies to address the issue of age discrimination in future and I am of course delighted to be part of it.”
Sir Ian Carruthers, OBE, said: “I was pleased to be asked to lead this important piece of national work which requires strong collaboration between health and social care.
“It is a welcome fact that people are living longer, healthier lives. However, it is absolutely right that we work to eliminate health inequalities of all kinds, including ageism. Older people now are healthier than previous generations and they have higher expectations in terms of quality of life.
“The NHS has a key role to play in helping to promote, support and extend healthy, active life and to make provision where this is not the case to ensure fair access for all to high quality, safe and dignified care.”
