Abstract

SummaryThe Equality Act 2010 should prevent age discrimination in the provision of healthcare and other services in the UK. The Royal College of Psychiatrists' Faculty of the Psychiatry of Old Age and General & Community Psychiatry Faculty have offered constructive guidance to help achieve this. However, there are pitfalls. First, legislation does not guarantee enforcement. Second, discrimination in the form of persisting negative attitudes of society towards older people and their ability to benefit from health interventions is associated with a deficit in funding old age services that has accumulated gradually during the 60 years of the National Health Service. These difficulties will need to be overcome to achieve effective implementation of the Act.

Highlights

  • A survey by the British Geriatrics Society and Age UK concluded that the National Health Service (NHS) is institutionally ageist.[3]

  • The Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) payment framework giving financial rewards for implementing clinical innovations may have that effect; the national dementia CQUIN to identify dementia in older people admitted to general hospitals may be a step in the right direction.[16]

  • We need to grasp the opportunity it gives us and ensure it succeeds

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Summary

1Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Summary The Equality Act 2010 should prevent age discrimination in the provision of healthcare and other services in the UK. Discrimination in the form of persisting negative attitudes of society towards older people and their ability to benefit from health interventions is associated with a deficit in funding old age services that has accumulated gradually during the 60 years of the National Health Service. These difficulties will need to be overcome to achieve effective implementation of the Act. The guidance on age equality from the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Faculty of the Psychiatry of Old Age and General & Community Psychiatry Faculty[1] is a breath of fresh air.

Tackling age discrimination
Law might not be enough
We cannot afford complacency
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