 Ruth Marks will take up her appointment in April |
Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan has announced the appointment of a commissioner for older people - the first such post in the UK. Ruth Marks, who is currently director of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) in Wales, will take up her role in April. She has vowed to "ensure that the voice of older people is heard" and that they are involved in all policy making. In 2001 Wales was the first part of the UK to name a children's commissioner. Plans for the commissioner were first revealed three years ago by Welsh Secretary Peter Hain.  | YOUR VIEWS  I hope the new commissioner can do something to turn around our society's attitudes. The old are not our burden they are our treasures. |
As well as looking at the interests of older people as a whole, the commissioner will be able to look at the effects that public bodies, such as the Welsh Assembly and NHS, have on them, and may publish reports on recommendations for change. Speaking about her role, Ms Marks said: "Wales proportionately has more older people than other parts of the UK. "The numbers are set to increase and that's why I think it's so important Wales is leading the way," she said. "It is a cause for celebration that we are living longer and healthier lives, but that doesn't mean older people in Wales have no difficulties to face. "Some older people may be struggling financially, others are unable to access the services they need, and many are isolated and lonely." She added: "In the worst circumstances older people are abused and neglected." Ms Marks said older people also faced a "benefits maze" and "very complex" information about entitlements, from pension credits to winter fuel payments. World-leader Mr Morgan said Wales was setting an example for others to follow.
 The commissioner will represent the interests of the elderly |
The First Minister, who is 68, said he wanted older people to enjoy a "second wind". "As far as we are aware, we are breaking new ground anywhere in the world. "Once appointed then Ruth is completely independent from the government and can challenge government and other bodies as well." Candidates for the new commissioner role were interviewed in November by a panel of seven older people. Two of them were represented on a cross-party selection panel, chaired by the deputy minister for social services, Gwenda Thomas. Ms Marks was chief executive of Chwarae Teg, the organisation which promotes and develops the role of women in the workforce, before joining RNIB Cymru in 2005. Anna Palazon, Wales director of Help the Aged, said: "We need a commissioner more than anything else to address the fact that we live in an endemically ageist society. "Whilst I do not believe that older people need a champion as such, what we do need is a champion to tackle the problems that Western society has in regards to ageing." Stephen Burke, chief executive of the charity Counsel And Care called for other parts of the UK to follow the Welsh example. "Older people and their carers have strong views and opinions about the state of social care in the UK."
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