Age Discrimination in Availability of Surgery (BBC News / Royal College of Surgeons / Age UK)

Summary

The Royal College of Surgeons and Age UK again found a wide variations in access to treatment. Their recent investigation examined surgery rates for six common procedures across England’s 211 CCGs and detected worrying differences in access to surgery between the over 65s and over 75s.

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Reference

Triggle, N. (2014). NHS surgery ‘age discrimination’. London: BBC Health News, July 3^rd 2014.

This relates to:

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Reference

Access all ages 2: exploring variations in access to surgery among older people. London: Royal College of Surgeons and Age UK, July 2^nd 2014.

“Many older patients with common health problems, such as a very painful hip, need costly drugs to alleviate the pain and social care to help them live. Clinical Commissioning Groups could actually save money by commissioning operations which would help a patient to regain their independence and mobility”.

Waiting Times for Routine Operations

The president of the Royal College of Surgeons believes the 18-week waiting target for routine operations in England should be reviewed:

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Reference

Jeffreys, B. (2014). Call to review waiting times for routine surgery. London: BBC Health News, July 10^th 2014.