Report to the People
Defusing the Grey Time Bomb
One of the things which makes growing old less depressing is the fact that we’re all in the same boat. Despite some of the more extravagant claims made by manufacturers of expensive cosmetics, we are in no position to argue with Father Time.
And, according to figures published last week, we as a nation are set to get older. By 2030, there will be another half million people aged over 65 and the number aged 85 or over will jump by 80%.
This rise, according to a report by Chief Medical Officer, Dr Mac Armstrong, will have a major effect on how we design and deliver health services. The NHS must be ready to cope with the inevitable increase in both demand and expectations.
At this point I must pause to register an interest.
I am, I admit, beginning to depart the first flush of my youth. I therefore want to be assured that, when I finally succumb, I will receive the care I need.
To achieve this, though, work must begin now. Happily, Dr Armstrong reports that action is being taken on the conditions which strike many older people, such as cancer, heart disease and mental illness. The provision of specific treatments, such as hip replacements, is also increasing.
The NHS must, though, go further.
For example, while the report found no evidence of widespread ageism in the NHS, it highlights the need to recognise and allay older people’s fears. Improved standards for the elderly in acute care, such as those about to be piloted by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland, are central to this.
Ending the misery of delayed discharge, or bed blocking, is another priority outlined in the report. Elderly people should not be prevented from returning home for the want of a few simple adaptations to their home. More should be done both to help prepare older patients for discharge and to support them once home.
Finally, if the NHS is not to buckle under the weight of future generations, the problem should be tackled at source. With an improved diet, more exercise and less bad habits, we middle aged Scots would avoid many of the health problems which afflict so many of our pensioners.
If our ageing population is to avoid becoming a public service time bomb, we need to start planning now. Putting these recommendations into practice will be a valuable step towards an NHS ready to respond to tomorrow’s needs and give us all the care we deserve.
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