Well, if you are old and frail . . .

doi:10.1136/bmj.39402.362234.BE

BMJ 2007;335:1059 (24 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.39402.362234.BE

Letters

What's wrong with the NHS?

Well, if you are old and frail . . .

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

The personal view describing deficient care of the author'sageing mother with mental health problems was harrowing.¹ Althoughmany service users do not experience such poor care, there ismuch objective evidence of "undignified and indifferent care"and "deep rooted and persistent attitudes by hospitals and staffto older people."² The old and mentally ill suffer discriminatoryattitudes considered unacceptable in other groups.

Some of the problems described are down to lack of professionalism.Ageist attitudes in society infect clinical professionals. Patientswith legitimate medical illnesses are labelled as "social admissions"or "bed blockers," rather than being diagnosed and treated.Even though much hospital and primary care work involves olderfrailer patients, most medical and nursing students don't wantto work with older people. Specialist training for care of theelderly and mental health is inadequate for future needs. A2001 national service framework recommended education and trainingfor all . . . [Full text of this article]