§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he will take to prevent ageism in the NHS, with particular reference to the recent representations made by Age Concern. [100198]
§ Mr. HuttonWe welcome the recent Age Concern report which highlights this important issue.
Discrimination of any kind, whether it is on the basis of age, race or gender, is completely unacceptable in the National Health Service. Treatment should rest entirely on clinical need. We are determined to provide older people with care that meets their needs-fast, efficient and sensitive. The provision of first class care on the NHS is a priority for this Government. That is why we are developing the National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People. This, for the first time, will set national standards for the care of older people, driving up the quality and reducing the variations of that care. The NSF will be published next year. The development of the NSF has involved many groups, including the patients and carers themselves. However, until the NSF is in place, we will continue to improve and modernise the services we provide. Thus last year we extended the annual immunisation programme for influenza to ensure that everyone aged 75 and over can have the 'flu vaccine free of charge. Over the next three years we will be expanding cataract services to increase the number of cataract operations from 170,000 a year currently to 250,000 a year-this will benefit thousands of older people. From 1 April this year all people aged 60 and over are entitled to free eye tests regardless of income or health status.