Older adults concerned over hospital services

The majority of older adults have concerns about hospital services, according to new research.

A study by Saga claims that two thirds of over 50s do not have confidence in basic NHS provisions beyond treatment and care giving.

One in six claims that cleanliness and communication are their main worries, while more than a third (34 per cent) was concerned over car parking.

Many also claim that general NHS perceptions have declined since 2010, with 36 per cent stating that the health service has got worse over the last two years. Some 40 per cent of over 50s also expect the NHS to deteriorate further by 2014.

Roger Ramsden, chief executive of Saga Services, commented: "Whilst people are still, in the main, confident with the quality of the NHS treatment, it is the wider hospital service that can be significantly improved upon, better communication between doctor and patient would go a long way to achieve this."

The study comes as politicians call on the government to create a minister for older people to ensure the rights of those in their later years are represented.

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