Age discrimination in the NHS and social care will become illegal in 2012, the health secretary has vowed.

Andy Burnham was speaking at the national children and adult services conference in Harrogate on 22 October when he responded to the publication of a review on age discrimination and age equality in the health and social sector published the same day.

Mr Burnham said that health and social services were “taking great strides” to break down assumptions about age in several programmes, such as the national dementia strategy. But he added, “I think we all agree there’s further to go. I’m therefore supporting the recommendation that Sir Ian Carruthers and Jan Ormondroyd make in today’s age discrimination review. Specifically that the age discrimination ban in the Equality Bill should apply for health and social care across England, Wales, and Scotland at the same time as other sectors—in 2012”

He added, “Meeting that deadline is ambitious, …