Lords Committee asks what’s right and wrong in health and social care for the elderly
6 November 2012
The House of Lords Select Committee on Public Service and Demographic Change took evidence from experts, doctors and the care regulator on the current state of health and social care for older people. The Committee looked at whether changes are needed to meet increasing demand from an ageing population, given current pressures on public spending.
- Parliament TV: Public Service and Demographic Change
- Public Service and Demographic Change Committee
Witnesses
At 9.45am, Tuesday 6 November, Committee Room 2, Palace of Westminster
- Caroline Abrahams, Director of External Affairs, Age UK
- Professor Chris Ham CBE, Chief Executive, The King’s Fund
- Philip King, Director of Regulatory Development, Care Quality Commission
- Steve McIntosh, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Carers UK
- Dr Martin McShane, Director, Domain 2, National Commissioning Board ‘Improving the quality of life for people with long term conditions’, NHS Commissioning Board
- Professor David Oliver, Consultant Physician, The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Department of Health National Clinical Director for Older People’s Services (England) and Professor of Medicine for Older People, City University, London.
The witnesses were asked their views on recent disturbing reports about the poor treatment of frail older people in the NHS, and about how high standards of care can be delivered given current spending constraints. The Committee also asked what an ideal system of health and social care for the elderly would look like, and about the best international examples for the UK to learn from.