Combatting age discrimination is a complex and uncomfortable process for public service managers

Janice Robinson

Ministers launched a National Service Framework for Older People last spring in an effort to stamp out age discrimination. It was backed by an investment of �120m.

But the report, Old Habits Die Hard, shows that managers in NHS and social care organisations are still struggling to prevent age discrimination.

It concludes that the government's objective of eradicating ageist practices from the NHS will not be achieved unless local managers are given more help to implement the policy.

The study is based on a survey of managers in hospitals, primary care groups, community trusts and social services departments.

It shows that while the majority support moves to combat age discrimination, they do not have the tools for the job.

Problems

Many are not sure how to recognise age discrimination in practice, nor how to judge whether age-related policies and practices are ever justifiable.

And they say they simply do not have sufficient resources to implement the national service framework.

Janice Robinson, King's Fund director of health and social care, said: "Combating age discrimination is a complex and uncomfortable process for public service managers.

"Efforts to eradicate ageist practices must be backed up with funding for staff education and training; a clear definition of what constitutes unacceptable behaviour; and a new law to make discrimination on the basis of old age unlawful.

"Legislation by itself does not make discrimination go away. But it will at least give public service managers the incentive and the leverage to make meaningful changes in their organisations."

The King's Fund call was backed by the charity Age Concern for England, which is also campaigning against age discrimination in the workplace.

Only one way

Spokeswoman Rhian Beynon told BBC News Online: "We are pleased that the government has taken steps such as the national service framework, but the only effective way to tackle age discrimination is through comprehensive legislation."

Paul Burstow, Liberal Democrat spokesman for older people, said the report was a "damning indictment" of ministers' failure to tackle ageism in the NHS.

He said: "The status of elderly care needs to be raised, and those who provide dedicated care should be praised.

"But until the government stops trying to get care of the elderly on the cheap, the cases of treatments refused, basic care and compassion overlooked, and dignity denied will continue."

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "Ageism should not be tolerated in a modern society and NHS treatment should be based entirely on clinical need and no other factor.

"As far as the NHS is concerned discrimination of any kind - whether it is on the basis of age, race or gender, is completely unacceptable."

She said that the government is also making the biggest ever investment in older people's services in the history of the NHS.

"By 2004 there will be an additional �1.4bn available for investment in health and social care for older people."

Old Habits Die Hard: Tackling age discrimination in health and social care, by Emilie Roberts and Linda Seymour, is available from the King's Fund bookshop on 020 7307 2591.