Poll: Doctors believe NHS is ageist
Updated on 27 January 2009
Almost half of doctors who care for older people believe the NHS is "institutionally ageist", according to a new poll.
A total of 47% thought the NHS was ageist while 55% said they were worried themselves about how the NHS would treat them in old age.
The survey, of 201 doctors who specialise in caring for older people and are members of the British Geriatrics Society (BGS), was carried out for the charity Help the Aged. More than six in 10 (66%) doctors agreed that, in their experience, older people were less likely to have their symptoms fully investigated.
Meanwhile, 72% thought older people were less likely to be considered for, or referred for, essential treatments like neural surgery or chemotherapy. More than three-quarters (77%) were also in favour of laws preventing age discrimination in the NHS.
Age discrimination in the workplace has been illegal since 2006, but the new Equality Bill is intended to tackle more widespread forms.
The Government has said it will take around 18 months to draft regulations on how rules relating to age discrimination in health and social care should be implemented. Care Services minister Phil Hope told the Commons in November that the Government would carry out a consultation, including identifying where age discrimination may occur in health and social care, gathering evidence, analysing costs and considering possible exceptions to a ban on unjustifiable age discrimination.
Help the Aged said it was concerned that the rules may not come into force before the next election.
Head of public affairs, Kate Jopling, said: "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."
Mr Hope later said: "The Equality Bill will allow us to end unfair age discrimination in the NHS and social care and Government is committed to making this happen as soon as possible. It is vital we get the legislation right to ensure there are no unintended consequences - such as service providers withdrawing beneficial age based practices. We need to bring in changes over time, to make sure we get it right.
"We're not waiting for legislation to take action. The Government is working with health and social care providers, commissioners and professional bodies to help them assess what practices they need to change to eliminate discrimination, ahead of legislation. The National Service Framework for Older People already makes a commitment that health and social care services should be provided on the basis of need, not age."
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