Age UK comment on the Gloria Foster report

Age UK comment in response to the report on the death of Gloria Foster

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director General at Age UK, said:

'This is such a tragic story and one that just cannot be allowed to happen again.  The care of the most vulnerable in our society is one of the most important issues facing the country. Mrs Foster was well known to Surrey County Council since 2007 when the council assessed her needs and agreed that she was eligible for care. It is therefore all the more astonishing that she slipped through the net and was left without help. The law is clear - if a local authority assesses someone as eligible for care then regardless of whether that person is funding her own care or not the local authority has a duty to ensure that they receive that care.

'Older people who struggle daily with chronic ill health, frailty and disability should at the very least have the peace of mind that they will be well cared for in times of need. This is too important to be cast aside or simply labelled as ‘too costly or difficult' and corners cannot continue to be cut.

'The heartbreaking and shocking stories we hear of older people let down by the care system must stop. This cannot continue.'

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

 September 2013A Serious Case Review: The Death of Mrs Gloria Foster,