Older People
Older people are the largest cohort of patients and yet they are vastly under-represented in the people who complain, make claims, or come to AvMA for help. We suspect there is massive under-reporting or recognition of medical accidents affecting older people. When older people do seek redress they are faced by unfair obstacles to access to justice such as the 'proportionality test' for legal aid. The value of older peoples lives is judged in monetary terms by the system. Older people, and people who care for them, are faced by an ever increasing maze of legal & ethical issues covering access to care and end of life decisions. AvMA brought these issues to the fore in the highly acclaimed conference Legal & Ethical Issues in the Care of Older People (London, 30th November 2006) and is determined to continue to work with others to address the inequality faced by older people with regard to patient safety & justice