Mulholland calls on Prime Minister to ensure high quality care and support for older people
January 11, 2012 5:42 PM
Member of Parliament for Leeds North West, former Liberal Democrat older people's spokesman and Co-Chair of the Ageing and Older People APPG Greg Mulholland, has today called on the Prime Minister, during Prime Ministers Question Time, to join him in welcoming Age UK's latest campaign 'Care in Crisis, which calls on the Government to reform the care system to ensure people in later life receive high quality care and support.
Greg asked the Prime Minister to support the Age UK campaign as well as asking if he would commit to ensuring that the white paper due out in the spring does represent a real way forward for older peoples care.
Currently many older people who require care and support are being let down by the system in place, whilst others have to sell their possessions, including their homes, in order to fund the care that they cannot live without.
Greg said:
"Care of older people is one of the most important issues faced today and it is so important that people in later life receive the high quality care and support that they deserve. As a Co-Chair of the Ageing and Older People APPG I am fully aware of the issues faced under the current care system and there must be reform to resolve these serious issues.
"It is wrong that under the current system those who require care are being completely let down, and to hear of people having to sell their homes in order to fund the care that they desperately require, is extremely concerning.
"The campaign is a fantastic platform for people to call on the Government to use the white paper, due out in the spring, as an opportunity to make these much needed reforms to the care system and ensure that people in later life have access to the support and high quality care that they need and deserve."
Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director of Age UK said:
"Reform of the care system is the most pressing issue facing older people today as those working within it will know only too well.
"Our window of opportunity to influence Government is now, so we urgently need support to ensure that the Government listens to the concerns of older people and their families and the professionals directly working in the midst of this care crisis.
"We're delighted that Greg is supporting our campaign and extremely grateful to him for raising attention to it at PMQs today".
END
To show your support for Age UK's campaign please sign their Care in Crisis petition calling for urgent care reform by going to www.ageuk.org.uk/careincrisis, or by visiting your local Age UK office or shop"
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