NAO report must be a "wake up call for govt"

EMBARGO: 00.01 5th December 

Responding to the NAO report that Tackling frailty key to the long-term health of our aging population, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Primary Care Helen Maguire MP said: 

"This should be a wake up call for the government. Support for elderly and vulnerable people is woeful and is symptomatic of how overstretched local NHS services have become.

"Millions of people are going without the care they need, or the support to stay independent. As a result thousands end up in hospital beds they shouldn’t be in where they become stuck as social care is disintegrating

"Our GPs are stretched to breaking point - making it harder and harder to identify those who need help.

“Elderly and frail people deserve so much better. The Liberal Democrats are calling for everyone over 70 or with a long term condition to have a named GP, with thousands of extra doctors so that people get the time they need during an appointment.”

ENDS