29/05/2014

Pensioners' Health Concerns Increase 17%

Concerns among pensioners in Northern Ireland regarding access to health and social care have increased by 17% over the past two years, according to the Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament.

The Parliament begins two days of discussion and debate in Belfast today as part of its annual meeting.

Following a warning from Health Minister Edwin Poots this month indicating that patient safety could be at risk if his Department does not receive extra funds, Age Sector Platform, the charity that organises the Parliament, said voting during the event will pinpoint what areas of healthcare cause the most concern.

Michael Monaghan, Chair of the Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament, said: "Earlier this year we travelled the province hearing the views of older people in every county of Northern Ireland and we know that health and social care is a cause for concern for many of them. Some of the issues raised were age discrimination in the treatment of older patients, inadequate domiciliary care, crisis in our A&E departments and unfair employment conditions for carers.

"We are concerned about the resources and strategies in place to deliver Transforming Your Care. Minister Poots has claimed that patient safety could be at risk if his Department’s funds are not increased; this is extremely alarming, considering the fact that older people are the biggest users of the health service."

(IT)

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