Gordon Lishman‚ Age Concern’s Director-General said:

“These draft guidelines are muddled and if applied could be a real step backwards in the fight against ageism.

“We still have a long way to go to scrap unfair practice suffered by older people in the NHS. For example‚ although the risk of getting breast cancer increases with age‚ women over 70 are presently denied automatic screening. Many mental health services available to adults of working age can be denied to over 65s.

“Everyone should have the right to treatment according to what they need as individuals‚ never on the sole basis of their date of birth.  Half of Britain’s GPs say they have concerns about the way the health service may deal with them as older people. ¹

“In addition to scrapping upper age limits on services like routine breast screening there should be a duty on all public services to promote age equality‚ like the race duty. This could transform the services older people get and ensure they get a fair deal.”

Note to Editors:

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¹ Age Concern / NOP survey 2000.

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