LIKE many other older people, I was shocked by the recent decision of the Hillingdon Hospital Trust to refuse admission to emergency patients over the age of 75.
As such a deplorably ageist decision may be seen by other health and social service providers as a way out of similar problems, it must not only be utterly condemned, but reversed as quickly as possible. The tensions that exist between health and local authorities - both of which are being called upon to meet increasing demands within strict budget limitations - have made it inevitable that sooner or later a crisis point would be reached.
This is why ARP/050 (the Association of Retired and Persons Over Fifty) has committed itself to an on-going campaign to end age discrimination in the provision of NHS services.
A Freephone number is available (0500 050 050) to readers wishing to learn more about the Association behind this important campaign initiative.
M CLARK, chairman, ARP/050 Local Friendship Centre, Blackburn.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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