Burnham brands services for vulnerable older people a ‘postcode lottery’ (Eleanor Burnham )

Cymraeg
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Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

Burnham brands services for vulnerable older people a ‘postcode lottery’

March 16, 2011 3:30 PM

Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales, Eleanor Burnham, has joined with Age Cymru and the Older People's Commissioner for Wales in calling for an end to the postcode lottery in provision of advocacy services for older people. Her comments come on the launch day of the jointly-published "Advocacy Counts 3" report.

Ms Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Older People in the Assembly, said:

"Advocacy services must be properly funded and properly promoted so that the people who need it most can get access.

"There is far too much inconsistency in delivery and this latest report is evidence of the need for a fully funded system of advocacy for vulnerable older people.

"It is disappointing and frankly unacceptable that large areas of Wales do not have any funded generic or specialist advocacy provision for older people at all.

"I was very pleased to support today's launch at the Senedd and I have tabled a joint Statement of Opinion in the Assembly confirming the importance of properly funded advocacy support.

"In my capacity as Chair of the Cross-Party Group on Older People and Ageing I am committed to making sure that vulnerable older people right across Wales will know they can have the support of an independent advocate if they find themselves in difficulty."

Notes for Editors:

SUPPORT services for vulnerable older people in Wales are a postcode lottery in need of a long-term funding commitment from the Welsh Assembly Government.

That's according to 'Advocacy Counts 3' - a report published today (11 March) by Age Cymru and the Older People's Commissioner for Wales.

Age Cymru's Elder Abuse Programme Manager, Louise Hughes, explains:

"Independent advocacy services make sure that older people who are vulnerable or dealing with challenging times have the support that they need.

"The last two years have seen a significant increase in the number of cases of financial abuse against older people being dealt with by advocates.

"Yet there are currently fewer advocacy services in Wales than there were in 2007 and there are still large areas of the country that do not have funded advocacy services for older people.

"Bringing an end to the postcode lottery in availability of these services for older people in Wales is essential, as is ensuring that advocacy services are properly funded."

The report also highlights the importance of consistent training for the 22 organisations delivering advocacy services across Wales.

Ruth Marks, the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, says:

"Advocacy services often work with some of the most vulnerable older people in Wales and play a critical role in improving older people's lives, ensuring their rights, choices and interests are protected.

"Training in advocacy, Protection of Vulnerable Adults procedures and human rights has been rolled out to many advocates in Wales. This training is delivering real results and an increase in the number of referrals to adult protection teams clearly indicates that improvements have been made in recognising and dealing with cases of elder abuse.

"It is essential that this training is maintained."

She concludes:

"Advocacy services need to be properly developed and funded in Wales to support older people to say 'no' to abuse".

'Advocacy Counts 3 - the third report on advocacy provision for older people in Wales' is being launched by Age Cymru and the Older People's Commissioner for Wales at the Senedd on the morning of

Wednesday 16 March.