Better delivery is key to ensuring better dignity

20 April 2006

Government plans to ensure older people are treated with more dignity must be backed by a stronger focus on delivery, CSCI Chief Inspector David Behan said today.

Responding to the publication of Professor Ian Philp’s report detailing the Government's 10-year National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People, Mr Behan said:

"Consulting older people, involving and engaging them in designing the services they receive and respecting their views, is crucial if we are to treat them with dignity.

"We fully support the Government’s ambitions for older people. The challenge is to turn ambition into action. We all agree that older people should be treated with greater dignity - the challenge is to deliver it, day in, day out; to close the gap between policy and delivery.

"Our latest report, 'Real Voices, Real Choices', shows it is not enough to simply ask people's views and then tick the 'consultation' box. All those who commission and provide services must listen to what people say, and then act upon it to ensure people’s needs are met.

"We will continue to involve people who use care services in the way we inspect and judge the quality of services. We are committed to working jointly with the Healthcare Commission to drive further improvements."

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Contacts:

Ray Veasey 020 7979 2094
Sharon Ward 020 7979 2089
Michelle Doyle 020 7979 2090