Call to improve care for elderly

Doctors throughout Ireland and the North have called on the Government and Stormont to dramatically improve standards of care for older people. The British Medical Association Northern Ireland and the Irish Medical Organisation yesterday set out recommendations which, they say, would have a significant impact on the standards of care for older people. Care of Older People on the Island of Ireland calls for cross-Border initiatives to improve healthcare as well as integration and co-ordination of services. The plans urge the recruitment and retention of skilled healthcare staff as well as “person-centred care”, improved communication and measures to improve social inclusion. Doctors also want to see efforts to improve nutritional care.