A report in the British Medical Journal has warned that elderly people are getting poor levels of care, particularly in nursing homes.

Forum Response: Help the Aged

Annie Stevenson, policy officer at Help the Aged, said: "Medical care for older people generally, and in care homes in particular, gives cause for profound concern. This is not just a 'quality of care' issue but an age discrimination and a human rights issue.

"Lack of proper diagnosis and treatment is about the right to life; inappropriate use of drugs is inhuman and degrading treatment. It is truly horrifying that sick older people can be treated in this way and a measure of how far we have to go to root out age discrimination in health care."

"Government must address the inadequate investment in health care for older people and in the care home sector. Trained and expert health care professionals must be involved in managing chronic illnesses."

Forum Response: Counsel and Care

Martin Green, chief executive of Counsel and Care, told ePolitix.com: "The issue of quality of care needs to be at the heart of the government's agenda.

"The National Service Framework is a positive move but we need to see the Care Standards Act being implemented as well."

Forum Resonse: Age Concern

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern England, told ePolitix.com: "This report highlights major concerns that some of the most vulnerable people in our society and those who are often a largely invisible population - those living in nursing homes, are receiving inadequate medical care.

"The fact that many residents of nursing homes in the study were found not to have flu vaccination records for example is extremely worrying. Anyone living in close contact with other people in a high-risk group will clearly be more likely to contract this potentially life-threatening infection.

"The findings raise serious questions about the equity of older people's access to medical services, the extent of their involvement and consultation about any actions that will affect their wellbeing.

"The National Service Framework for Older People includes a clear commitment to improving medicines management by older people themselves. This crucial measure has been pressed for by organisations including Age Concern and must be fully implemented."