Calls for legislation to protect and promote the rights of older people

The Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Social Care and Older People – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has responded to the statement made today by the Welsh Government calling for older people’s rights to be protected in law.

Mrs Finch-Saunders, responding to the statement by the Deputy Minister, said:

“Older people have a right to be treated with dignity and respect.

“According to the United Nations Principles for Older Persons, older people should, for example, have access to adequate health care, be able to live in environments that are safe, benefit from community care and protection, and be treated fairly.

“This pandemic has shown that Wales is a long way off achieving so many of these vitally important principals.

“It is true that communities have rallied round to support the most vulnerable, but we have also seen older and vulnerable people feel pressured into signing Do Not Attempt CPR forms, found that that only 28 percent of suspected and confirmed Covid-19 deaths of adult care home residents were located in a hospital, and seen the Welsh Government unjustifiably delay on care home testing.

“Older people’s experiences during this pandemic have strengthened the case for further protection of their rights in law and improved knowledge and recognition of these rights.

“Unlike the Deputy Minister who wants to continue working on a strategy, undertake meetings, and research how to strengthen equality and human rights, it is time for clear positive action.

“I will be proposing a Bill enshrining the rights of Wales’s older people in our legislature.”

The statement can be found here.