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Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, said:

“The launch of the Care Quality Commission should help to break down barriers between health and social care but it will need adequate resources to do its work effectively.

“We are very concerned that overall funding for this new super-regulator will be far less than funding for the regulatory bodies that are being replaced1, resulting in less frequent inspections and no capacity to take up complaints from individual patients and service users.

“Increasing the quality of health and social care must be the Government’s absolute priority. It is essential that all health and social care services provide good quality care that respects the rights and dignity of all older people.”

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Notes to Editors

1 The Healthcare Commission, Commission for Social Care Inspection, and the Mental Health Act Commission.

For a copy of Alan Johnson’s statement on the new Care Quality Commission, please contact Anne-Marie on 020 8765 7511 
 
Age Concern is the largest organisation in the UK working for older people.  Everyday we are in touch with thousands of older people, enabling them to make more of life. Our services include information and advice, befriending, day centres, lunch clubs, transport services, home visits, and advocacy services. More information can be found on our website.

For general enquiries please contact us.

Journalists contact:

Media contact:
Anne-Marie Devaney
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Email:
Media@ace.org.uk