Lifestyle

Most doctors believe NHS services for the elderly are inadequate

Most doctors believe NHS services for older people are not good enough, according to a report.

A lack of stimulation in care homes means people lose their mental abilities too quickly while those with dementia suffer from a lack of support, it found.

More than 90% of doctors surveyed by the British Medical Association (BMA) said not enough money was being spent on NHS care of the elderly. And 85% said they were concerned or very concerned about healthcare services for older people.

The biggest area of worry was the lack of services available in the community, with only 8% feeling that activities provided in residential and care homes to maintain mental agility and physical exercise were adequate.

Yet almost nine out of 10 doctors said mental agility services were very important for overall patient health and well-being.

More than nine in 10 also rated physical exercise and social activities as very important.

More than two thirds (68%) of doctors said staffing levels in residential and nursing homes were not appropriate while 78% said this was a key priority that needed to be addressed.

The study also found that 62% of doctors thought there were not enough services to support people with dementia, while only 34% said older people had continuous access to podiatry services to look after their feet.

Dr Helena McKeown, a GP from Wiltshire and chair of the BMA's Committee on Community Care, said: "It's disgraceful that care services are so chronically under-funded.

"People deserve to have an old age that is fulfilling and dignified. At the moment I don't feel a lot of them are getting that."