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NHS primary health care services are still letting older people down‚ even though they are the main adult users of the NHS‚ according to a new report out by Age Concern.

Many primary care health services like chiropody and basic foot care have been drastically cut over the years by Primary Care Trusts across the country as a way of slashing budgets to save money. 

The report ‘Primary Concerns’ highlights the fact that older people use GP practice services more than younger adults; however nearly one in five 65-74 year olds are still experiencing difficulties in getting an appointment to see their GP or practice nurse.

Research from the charity also shows that almost half of older people are not registered with an NHS dentist¹‚ despite a pledge from the Government almost ten years ago promising that everyone would have easy access to an NHS dentist within two years.

With a shortage in NHS dentists‚ pensioners on low fixed incomes are often forced to either pay privately for dental treatment or just go without.  Good oral health is essential to the overall health and well-being of older people and enables people to eat comfortably‚ enjoy a healthy diet‚ and speak and socialise without embarrassment.

Private foot care is simply not an option for most pensioners as a private chiropodist can cost up to £30 per session – nearly a third of the weekly basic state pension. This is a huge cause for concern‚ as one in three adults over 65 – that’s two million people in England - cannot cut their own toenails².

One year on from the launch of the charity’s Feet for Purpose campaign‚ the Department of Health is set to launch its preventative health care package for older people which has pledged to improve access to essential foot care services.

Gordon Lishman‚ Director General of Age Concern‚ said:

“Health care should be free at the point of use.  It is unacceptable that older people’s health needs aren’t properly prioritised within the NHS‚ despite the fact that they are the biggest adult service users.

“As we age‚ we are more likely to need the support of NHS primary care services.  If the Government is to achieve the aim set out in the NHS review to ensure high quality care is part of everyone’s experience‚ then it urgently needs to address the deep rooted age discrimination that lies at the heart of the NHS. 

“If older people are to get a fair deal‚ the new NHS Constitution now going through consultation‚ needs to ensure age discrimination is given as much priority as other forms of discrimination."

You can download Age Concern’s Primary Concerns report by clicking on the link on the right-hand side.

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Notes to Editors

• BMRB‚ on behalf of Age Concern‚ surveyed 1‚097 older people (aged 65 and over) in England. Fieldwork was conducted in the form of face to face interviews in respondents’ own homes using CAPI laptop computers‚ over three week from 3 to 23 April 2008.
• Feet for Purpose highlights how older people are being left housebound and disabled by a lack of foot care services. The campaign aims to ensure older people who need foot care can receive it without the need to pay. The services required range from professional chiropody treatment to simple nail cutting. Healthy feet are vital for older people to remain physically active and independent in later life.  Poor foot health can frequently lead to complications that can result in dangerous falls‚ severe restrictions on mobility and becoming socially isolated.
• 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.

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1. Primary Concerns‚ September 2008‚ page 13
2. 2001 General Household Survey
   

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