Although  the  negative  'attitude'  to  women  and  to people with  a different skin-colour,  has  somewhat diminished (  thanks to legislation) ,  it seems our general  behaviour and approach towards the frail  elderly  is  expanding  unabated. 

 

Hardly  a day goes by without  some national  damning report on  such  age-related  prejudice  mainly in health care.  Why?   And  most of the time  the 'perpetrators'  are  highly educated  well -paid   professional  individuals.  There still  remains  an widespread  attitudinal  negativity  towards the aged and old age.   Infirm  helpless older  patients are being treated with contempt and  a dismissive callous and apathetic attitude !   Why  such  'unprofessional' handling  of the vulnerable  are not being noticed immediately by their  seniors and 'well-paid' managers ?  Are those managers only there to look  at spreadsheets  on the computer screens in their plush offices  whilst  a thirsty  80 year old  is crying for a glass of water !!

 

 

The   new Secy of State  Mr Hunt is  now saying  that   'such   unacceptable behaviour  and practice  by  professional NHS staff will no longer be tolerated and disciplinary actions will be taken against them'.   But who will catch   and report  them? A conspiracy of silence usually pervades our  clinical areas  like  the raping of  poor  village women by soldiers  in war times !!  

 

 

As  a society we have  a lot to be proud about  ; sadly this is not  one of them.   This is disgraceful  !  Even  household pets  are  treated better  in this  animal -loving country --  could we not at least match  the  care of older people  with  that  of the pets !  

 

 

This has been going on for far too long and must stop  - things need   to change.