Press Releases

Commissioner Announces first Review

24.3.10

24 March 2010

Today, the Older Peoples Commissioner for Wales, Ruth Marks, announced that her first Review will be on the treatment of older people whilst they are in hospital, especially in relation to dignity and respect. Ruth is also glad to announce that the Review will be chaired by Dame Deirdre Hine DBE FFPH FRCP.

Ruth Marks said, “I am determined to use the powers given to me through Act of Parliament that established my post to improve the lives of older people in Wales, especially in situations where they are vulnerable.

“I have heard many views which show that there is a need for an independent, authoritative look at hospital care from the perspective of the older person in order to establish, whether the standard of care provided needs to be improved, and if so, that recommend ways of improving things. I want to identify and tackle any standards of care which may exist that are simply unacceptable in twenty first century Wales.

“You are more likely to need hospital services as you get older, around 40 per cent of hospital inpatients in Wales are aged 65 or over.

“I have been told about some excellent services, but also have heard some serious concerns that need to be looked at, for example, over the continued use of mixed sex wards, failure to alleviate bed sores with pressure relieving mattresses, cleanliness of wards, and older people fearing recriminations if they complain.”

The decision of the Commissioner to undertake this Review follows a consultation and consideration of what would be the most appropriate subject for the focus of this first Review. In particular the Commissioner has spoken with and listened to the views of older people from all parts of Wales since taking up her post in April 2008.

The Review will result in a report and will make any such recommendations required to improve dignity and respect towards older people in Wales who are in hospitals, as well as reporting on examples of the good work that is happening5. The Commissioner wants to make a positive difference to older people’s experiences of hospital.

The Review will be part of an extensive work programme for the Commission, which will also include a focus on the experiences of older people in social care settings which will also identify areas of best practice and (if necessary) make recommendations on how improvements can be made.

Ruth Marks continued, “We would like to thank all the older people and advocates who have contacted us. The information they have given us means we have been able to root all our work in what matters most to older people.”