Doctors Throughout Ireland Call For Better Standards Of Care For Older People

Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 02 Oct 2008 - 6:00 PDT

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Doctors representing the medical profession across the island of Ireland are calling on their governments, north and south, to lead the way in radically improving standards of care for older people.

The British Medical Association Northern Ireland [BMA(NI)] and the Irish Medical Organisation [IMO] today, Thursday 2nd October 2008, launched a joint policy document in Parliament Buildings, Stormont, setting out 11 cogent recommendations which, if implemented, would have a significant impact on the standards of care for older people on the island of Ireland. The joint document was introduced at the launch by NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey MLA.

In their document - 'Care of Older People on the island of Ireland' - the BMA(NI) and the IMO call for:

- Cross-border initiatives that improve healthcare for older people
- Full integration and coordination of healthcare services
- The recruitment and retention of skilled healthcare staff as a priority for all agencies
- Person-centred care
- Improved communication in the delivery of healthcare to older people
- Care tailored to an individual's need
- Support for carers
- Social inclusion of older people in society
- High standards of care in all healthcare settings
- Nutritional care being made a priority
- The promotion of positive mental health

Speaking at the launch, Dr Brian Patterson, Chairman of the BMA's NI Council, said: "Our two organisations want to see change in the access and delivery of care to older people. Our common cause is that the older population throughout the island of Ireland should have access to care which is of the highest quality, is equal and available to all on the basis of need and is delivered with respect and due regard to the dignity of patients.

"We also want to see our respective governments put in place reciprocal agreements that would allow older people living close to the border to be funded for long-term or other care."

Highlighting further some of the 11 recommendations, IMO President Dr Martin Daly said: "Older people should also be involved in the planning of their care - this is essential if we're to give meaning to the principles of respect, informed choice and dignity.

"We are also calling on our respective independent monitoring organisations* to make sure that not only are minimum standards met in all healthcare settings but they are exceeded. Immediate action should be taken against care facilities where this falls short."

The joint 'Care of Older People' document also spells out the need for clear lines of communication between all agencies and workers involved in the care process, including acute and primary care. All sectors should have round-the-clock access to details of an older person's medication and clinical condition .

In accentuating the need for social inclusion of older people in our society, the joint paper says that for those who wish to live in their own homes, domiciliary and other healthcare services should be appropriate, co-ordinated and of a high standard, with minimal bureaucracy. Older people should be asked what their needs are and services should include opportunities for social interaction.

The paper also recommends that nutritional care should be made a priority. It says that healthcare professionals and managers must take responsibility to ensure that older patients are nutritionally screened on admission and an appropriate nutritional care plan implemented.

Both the IMO and the BMA(NI) have made it clear they want to work constructively with government, policy makers, healthcare providers and other stakeholders to ensure there is equity of access to high quality healthcare for all older people on the island of Ireland.

* The independent monitoring organisation in the Republic of Ireland is the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA); in Northern Ireland it is the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA).

-- The joint BMA(NI)/IMO paper 'Care of Older People on the island of Ireland' can be accessed here.

-- The IMO's 'Care of the Elderly Position Paper' can be accessed here.

-- The BMA(NI's) new policy document, 'Improving the Care of Older People in Northern Ireland', which was informed by the Patient Liaison Group, can be accessed here.

British Medical Association Northern Ireland
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