EXPERTS from across the fields of health and social care in Scotland are calling for a more 'honest' debate about the potential cost of looking after the growing elderly population, including the possibility of raising taxes.
At a summit organised by The Herald, concern was expressed that the difficult question of how society affords good community care and hospital treatment for the rising number of frail pensioners is not being addressed.
 
The need for an honest debate is the first of seven priorities for action which were agreed by the 20 delegates who attended the event at The Mitchell Library in Glasgow yesterday.
 
A fresh discussion about reconfiguring some services both in hospitals and the community, which could mean the centralisation of some front-line patient care, was also requested by the panel.
 
Health Secretary Alex Neil, who was unable to attend, has welcomed the contribution to what he called a "very important debate".

He continued: "We are proud of our record on free personal care and free prescriptions. Thesebenefit us all, and in particular our older people, and we remain committed to maintaining these benefits."However, the summit delegates called for the balance between offering universal benefits and supporting the most vulnerable to be reconsidered.

Peter MacLeod, of the Association of Directors of Social Work, said: "We need to urgently review the funding available and identify the priorities."
 
"In particular we need to invest more in care and support services that enable people to remain at home as long as it is possible and safe to do so. Or if not, in as homely a setting as possible." 
 
Forward planning to develop services in the community to help prevent hospital admissions should be based on clear evidence of what works, the summit said, and a similar plan is also needed for hospitals as there will always be a number of frail elderly people who need to be admitted.

 

Mr Neil said: "Forward planning is crucial in helping to cope with our increasingly elderly population and that is why we are legislating to integrate adult health and social care."

 

The unique ageing population summit also concluded Scotland should also have a higher regard for people who care for the elderly.

Staff who look after the frail ought be valued more and that should be reflected in their pay and training, according to the meeting of experts from a range of NHS and community services.

 

The 20-strong panel brought together by The Herald also said older people themselves deserved more respect as they drew-up seven priorities which they feel Scotland needs to address to cope with the ageing population.

Theresa Fyffe, director of the Royal College of Nursing Scotland and one of the participants, said: "If you have dignity and respect for the older people you then have dignity and respect for the staff who care for them. You then think older people deserve the best, because you think all their needs are important."

The number of pensioners living in Scotland is predicted to rise by more than half a million by 2035 and the number of people living with dementia is expected to double in the next 25 years. However, there are already signs that public services are struggling to manage. The Herald is running a campaign highlighting concerns about the pressure on the NHS and social care and calling for a review to ensure both have the capacity required.

Yesterday, the newspaper brought together 20 experts from the NHS, social care and charity sectors at The Mitchell Library in Glasgow to draw up key priorities which need more attention.

Ensuring all doctors and nurses are trained to look after elderly patients was among the priorities agreed. The need for an honest debate about the cost of looking after the elderly, making sure resources are there to maintain low levels of community support alongside funding complex care packages and hospital admissions were also emphasised.

Peter MacLeod, of the Association of Directors of Social Work, said: "We need to look at the value and cost we place in care, in particular the value we as a society place on care as a task - that's critical. I would also look at the budget available in the system and where that money is spent in hospital settings as opposed to in community based settings."

Health Secretary Alex Neil said: "I agree that we should continue to ensure we value our older people and ensure those who care for them have all of the necessary training. That is why caring for older people is already an integral part of training for all healthcare professionals."

He added: "Integration is badly needed to improve care for people who use services across health and social care, and to make better use of the substantial resources that we commit to adult health and social care. By focusing on bringing together service planning across health and social care, and integrating budgets to make best use of public resources, integ-ration of health and social care will improve outcomes for people."

The priorities for action were agreed at The Herald Ageing Population Campaign Summit by Dr Andrew Cowie, member of the British Medical Association Scottish GP Committee; Amy Dalrymple, head of policy for Alzheimer Scotland; Katie Docherty, head of charity services for Age Scotland; Dr Frank Dunn, President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow; Neil Findlay MSP, health spokesman for Scottish Labour; Theresa Fyffe; Dr Rob Gray, consultant geriatric psychiatrist and member of the BMA Scottish Consultants' Committee; Annie Gunner Logan, director of the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland; Jim Hume MSP, Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesman for health and housing; Alexis Jay, former chief adviser for social work; Ron Culley, chief officer for health and social care Cosla; John Keaney, consultant in emergency medicine and member of the College of Emergency Medicine; Richard Kerley, interim chairman Centre for Scottish Public Policy; Professor Paul Knight, president British Geriatrics Society; Shirley Law, director of learning and development at the Dementia Services Development Centre; University of Stirling, Dr Miles Mack, deputy chairman Royal College of GPs in Scotland; Peter MacLeod; Mr Ian Ritchie, president Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh; Dr Jean Turner, executive director Scotland Patients Association; Dave Watson, Scottish organiser Unison.