BMJ  2007;335:367 (25 August), doi:10.1136/bmj.39314.390150.DB

News

Report highlights abuse of older people's human rights in hospitals and homes

Adrian O'Dowd

Margate

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Doctors, managers, and pressure groups have condemned the abuse of older people's human rights in hospitals and care homes, after a highly critical report by peers and MPs.

Urgent legal and cultural changes are needed to stop widespread abuse of older people in these settings, said politicians on the joint select committee on human rights.

After investigating they concluded that older people in hospitals and care homes experienced abuse, sexual assaults, rough treatment, malnutrition, dehydration, bullying, and neglect.

More than a fifth (21%) of care homes did not meet minimum standards of privacy and dignity required, they said, and the MPs criticised the Department of Health and the Ministry of Justice for failing to "provide proper leadership" and guidance about the Human Rights Act 1998 to providers of health and residential care.

MPs called for all healthcare staff to receive targeted and regular training in human rights principles and how . . . [Full text of this article]


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