BGS urges new Health Secretary to consider complex health needs of older people

01 July 2021

The British Geriatrics Society (BGS) has written to the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, urging him to think about the UK’s older population and the need to for sustainable, high-quality care for the long term as he sets out priorities for his new post.

Congratulating him on his appointment, the BGS reiterated previous calls to Government explaining how the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected older people, with 90% of deaths from COVID occurring in those aged 65 or older.

The letter sets out the need to embed sustainable, high-quality care for older adults for the long term as the country moves forward from the pandemic, and identifies five key areas which the BGS believes should feature in the Health Secretary's future plans.

These include:

  1. Planning for the increased needs of older people as we emerge from the pandemic

  2. Providing a sustainable solution to the crisis in social care

  3. Addressing pent-up demand for health services among older people

  4. Acknowledging the mental health impact of lockdown among older people

  5. Prioritise support for the health and social care workforce

Sajid Javid took up the post of Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on 26 June 2021 following the resignation of Matt Hancock. 

You can read the letter in full here.

 

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