BGS urges new Health Secretary to consider complex health needs of older people

The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP: Image by Richard Townshend licensed under CC BY 3.0

The British Geriatrics Society (BGS) has written to the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, urging him to think about the UK’s older population and the need to for sustainable, high-quality care for the long term as he sets out priorities for his new post.

Congratulating him on his appointment, the BGS reiterated previous calls to Government explaining how the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected older people, with 90% of deaths from COVID occurring in those aged 65 or older.

The letter sets out the need to embed sustainable, high-quality care for older adults for the long term as the country moves forward from the pandemic, and identifies five key areas which the BGS believes should feature in the Health Secretary's future plans.

These include:

  1. Planning for the increased needs of older people as we emerge from the pandemic

  2. Providing a sustainable solution to the crisis in social care

  3. Addressing pent-up demand for health services among older people

  4. Acknowledging the mental health impact of lockdown among older people

  5. Prioritise support for the health and social care workforce

Sajid Javid took up the post of Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on 26 June 2021 following the resignation of Matt Hancock. 

You can read the letter in full here.

 

More BGS responses

BGS responds to Adult Social Care Winter Plan

As the country approaches winter and an almost-certain second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the British Geriatrics Society is relieved to see the Government taking action to provide additional support to care homes and other social care providers in England.

BGS responds to CQC report on approaches to DNACPR decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic

The BGS welcomes the report and supports the recommendations. Used in the context of supportive and compassionate conversations with individuals and their families, DNACPR orders are a valuable part of good quality, person-centred care.

BGS statement in response to NHS White Paper

The British Geriatrics Society welcomes plans outlined in the NHS White Paper to reduce bureaucracy and increase integration across health and social care. While legislation will not remove all of the current barriers to integration, it will help to ensure that older people are able to access the health and care services that they need.

BGS responds to the Queen's Speech 2021

Today the Queen outlined the government's priorities for the year ahead, as she officially reopened Parliament.

Read the letter in full

Click below to download the letter sent by BGS President, Dr Jennifer Burns, and BGS Chief Executive, Sarah Mistry, to the new Secretary of State for Health, Sajid Javid, on 30 June 2021.

#BGSFairCare

02
Nov
2020

#BGSFairCare: BGS launches campaign to urge the Government to protect older people during the second wave

The BGS has launched a campaign across the four nations of the UK to raise awareness of issues critical to protecting older people during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.