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Older people being ignored by Government - Burstow
July 15, 2009 7:47 PM
Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam and long-term campaigner for the rights of elderly people, has challenged the Minister for Care over the Government's broken promises to the elderly population.
During a debate on care for the elderly Mr Burstow put pressure on Minister Phil Hope to explain why a review into the dangerous and deadly over-medication of dementia sufferers is a year overdue.
Every year around 23, 000 older people die prematurely because of the over use of anti-psychotic drugs which actually worsen the symptoms of dementia, as well as causing other serious harm.
In April 2008 Mr Burstow produced a report containing detailed evidence of the scale and severity of the problem of over medication and has worked with a number of organisations to try and prompt the Government to act.
In tonight's debate Mr Burstow also demanded to know about another overdue Government publication; a consultation response on the need for adult protection legislation, that was due in April of this year.
Currently there is no specific legislation to protect vulnerable adults, whether they are elderly or have some kind of disability. This is despite the existence of laws that explicitly defends the rights of children and even animals on the statute books.
After the debate Mr Burstow said:
'This Government talks a lot about 'dignity in care' agenda yet they have a track record of broken promises and delays.
'It's not just about reports, but about the lives they affect and the quality of the treatment of our older people. Tonight the Minister said that a country should be judged on its treatment of the elderly; by that standard this Government are found wanting.'
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