Age UK response to RCS report

The NHS must respond to the needs of the bulk of its patients - older people

Age UK's response to Royal College of Surgeons' report

In response to the Royal College of Surgeons' call for better care for emergency abdominal surgery patients in particular older people who have a 40 percent risk of dying after treatment Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director of Age UK said:

'This is just more evidence that the NHS is not responding to the needs of older people who constitute the bulk of its patients. It's shocking that some of the UK's sickest and most vulnerable men and women are not receiving the emergency surgical and post operative care they need - care which can mean the difference between life and death. Improved care and treatment and routine risk assessments should be the right of every vulnerable patient not just those lucky enough to be in the right hospital.'

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Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

Media contact: Mallary Gelb
Telephone: 020 303 033 1682
Out-of-office-hours: 07071 243 243