The over 65s are the main users of health services and the UK has a rapidly growing population. The NHS Confederation believes care services and policymakers have definite obligations to older people.

We believe that care services should always strive to treat older people with dignity, covering everything from addressing problems with nutrition, toileting and how people are spoken to, to being sensitive to differences in culture and gender/sexuality. The Confederation is a supporter of the Dignity in Care campaign which aims to raise awareness and spread good practice.

We welcome the Healthcare Commission's Caring for Dignity report. It is clear that NHS organisations have done a lot to ensure that dignity in care is taken seriously, but we also recognise there is a great deal more work to be done.

Mental health service provision for older people continues to be a concern for the Confederation. Service development has not always included older people and services continue to be under-resourced. Beyond dementia, the mental health needs of older people are often little understood. Our new Mental Health Network has a subgroup focusing on older people. The group is reviewing its work programme.

How we involve members in our work

Following our evidence to the joint human rights committee on human rights of older people in healthcare, we are keen to strengthen member involvement in our older people work. This work encompasses dignity and end of life care issues. If you would like to be involved as part of an email network please contact elaine.cohen@nhsconfed.org

Confederation representation

The Confederation gave evidence to the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Equality and Human Rights. The committee found that, while some older people receive excellent care, there are concerns about poor treatment, neglect, abuse, discrimination and ill-considered discharge. More information is available on the evidence and submissions section of our website.

The Confederation is a partner in Caring Choices: Who will pay for long-term care? This is a nationwide initiative to help shape future policy on long-term care for older people. The programmes involves a national series of events designed to gather opinions from older people and individuals who are involved in the care system. More information and opportunities to participate in this debate are available on http://www.caringchoices.org.uk/.

Staff from our policy team are represented on a range of national groups, including the Department of Health Dignity in Care Reference Group, and the End of Life Strategy Group and the Commission for Social Care Inspection's Older People's Services Improvement Board.