3 November 2011
A range of evidence will be drawn upon by a new joint commission to examine how hospitals and care homes could offer more dignified care to older patients.
The body, which has been launched collaboratively by Age UK, the NHS Confederation and the Local Government Association, will be called the Partnership on Dignity in Care and will aim to offer practical improvements to existing care problems.
A literature review of previously published evidence will be assessed by the commission, in addition to written evidence and the views of three specialist reference groups.
The Commission plans to release draft findings for public consultation in early 2012. and aims to publish a final report, with recommendations, in Spring 2012.
Age UK chair Dianne Jeffrey CBE DL, one of the panel's co-chairs, said the care provided to older people often falls short of expectations.
She added: 'All too often, older people in particular are not given the care to which they have a right. The commission has been brought together to find practical ways to ensure that all older people are looked after well, and in a way that values them as individuals with inherent dignity.
'We want to see the views of older people on how they receive care placed right at the heart of decision making around this issue and action prioritised to ensure that no older person receives poor care in future.'