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

doi:10.1136/bmj.39314.390150.DB

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Adrian O'Dowd

Margate

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 …