Published 16 September 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b3378
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b3378

Editorials

Age based discrimination in health and social care services

Will be against the law if the 2009 equality bill is enacted

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

The 2009 Equality Bill will, if enacted, make age based discrimination in the provision of health care and social care illegal for the first time in the United Kingdom. In a speech in 2008, the then health secretary, Alan Johnson, said, "Old age is the new middle age. Health and social care services need to adapt to the changing needs of today’s older people . . . to promote health in old age and help older people to maintain independence and quality of life."1 People over 65 already account for more than 60% of hospital bed days and most expenditure on health and social care. In 2007 there were 8.2 million people aged over 65 in England and Wales, but this is projected to increase to 11.6 million by 2026—an increase of 46%—with similar projected rises in the prevalence of disability and dependency.2 Core users of health care will continue . . . [Full text of this article]

David Oliver, visiting professor

1 School of Community and Health Sciences, City University, London EC1A 7QN

David.Oliver.1@city.ac.uk


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