§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the 2003 Report of Progress and Future Challenges on the National Service Framework for Older People, what written policies were found that discriminated against older people; what progress has been made in amending these policies; and if he will make a statement. [168644]
§ Dr. LadymanA report on the local age discrimination audits of written policies in the national health service was published in April 2002. Copies are available in the Library. Reports of local action to address issues found should be covered in each local health organisation's annual report. Support for continued local action has included working to support the King's Fund to develop and publish "Auditing Age Discrimination—a practical approach to promoting equality in health and social care" in February 2003, the development of statistical tools to allow comparisons of local treatment and care by age group and training events around the country on age discrimination run with Age Concern.
The Healthcare Commission is to undertake a review of progress on implementation of the national service framework for older people, including age discrimination from July 2004 to June 2005.