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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Stroke care 'failing the elderly' | Stroke care 'failing the elderly' |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Ageism in the NHS means older people get poorer stroke care than younger victims, a campaign group has said. | Ageism in the NHS means older people get poorer stroke care than younger victims, a campaign group has said. |
| The newly merged charity, Age Concern and Help the Aged, was responding to "shocking" findings in a study led by a team at London's Mayday Hospital. | The newly merged charity, Age Concern and Help the Aged, was responding to "shocking" findings in a study led by a team at London's Mayday Hospital. |
| The study of 379 patients found over- 75s were less likely to be given access to vital scans and advice, the Postgraduate Medical Journal reported. | The study of 379 patients found over- 75s were less likely to be given access to vital scans and advice, the Postgraduate Medical Journal reported. |
| The Department of Health has said it is committed to equality in care. | The Department of Health has said it is committed to equality in care. |
| 50,000 deaths | 50,000 deaths |
| The government in England has made stroke care a key priority in recent years. | The government in England has made stroke care a key priority in recent years. |
| A change in the attitude of healthcare professionals is needed to root out ageism Dr Karen Kee, lead researcher | A change in the attitude of healthcare professionals is needed to root out ageism Dr Karen Kee, lead researcher |
| It is part way through a three-year £100m strategy aimed at giving people early access to diagnosis and treatment. | It is part way through a three-year £100m strategy aimed at giving people early access to diagnosis and treatment. |
| Ministers acted after criticisms that the standard of stroke care was lagging behind other European nations. | Ministers acted after criticisms that the standard of stroke care was lagging behind other European nations. |
| Strokes are the third biggest killer in the country - behind cancer and heart disease - responsible for 50,000 deaths a year. | Strokes are the third biggest killer in the country - behind cancer and heart disease - responsible for 50,000 deaths a year. |
| But while strokes are most common in the elderly, just one in 20 over-75s in the study was given an MRI scan to diagnose the type of stroke suffered compared with one in four younger patients. | But while strokes are most common in the elderly, just one in 20 over-75s in the study was given an MRI scan to diagnose the type of stroke suffered compared with one in four younger patients. |
| Elderly patients also came off worse in regards to lifestyle advice with a third of younger patients counselled about weight reduction compared with just over one in 10 older patients. | Elderly patients also came off worse in regards to lifestyle advice with a third of younger patients counselled about weight reduction compared with just over one in 10 older patients. |
| Investment | Investment |
| Lead researcher Dr Karen Kee said: "A change in the attitude of healthcare professionals is needed to root out ageism. | Lead researcher Dr Karen Kee said: "A change in the attitude of healthcare professionals is needed to root out ageism. |
| "The investment in stroke services following the strategy has been welcome, but we must do more to provide equal access. | "The investment in stroke services following the strategy has been welcome, but we must do more to provide equal access. |
| "The results of this study possibly reflect negative views, attitudes and behaviours of healthcare professionals towards older patients." | "The results of this study possibly reflect negative views, attitudes and behaviours of healthcare professionals towards older patients." |
| Michelle Mitchell, of Age Concern and Help the Aged, said: "This is another shocking example of ageism in the NHS, resulting in older people being denied the care and treatment they need because they are deemed 'too old'. | Michelle Mitchell, of Age Concern and Help the Aged, said: "This is another shocking example of ageism in the NHS, resulting in older people being denied the care and treatment they need because they are deemed 'too old'. |
| "Older people aren't asking for special treatment, but the same access to healthcare and medicine as everyone else." | "Older people aren't asking for special treatment, but the same access to healthcare and medicine as everyone else." |
| But a Department of Health spokesman said the forthcoming Equality Bill would help end "unfair age discrimination". | But a Department of Health spokesman said the forthcoming Equality Bill would help end "unfair age discrimination". |
| "We are determined to ensure high quality care for all, regardless of age." | "We are determined to ensure high quality care for all, regardless of age." |