A STAGGERING number of older Britons with serious health problems are left with "very little protection" from the nation’s health services, a new survey has revealed.
Elderly people are too reluctant to complain about poor healthcare and are suffering in silence as a result, says a new Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report.
And too often health staff direct aging patients to websites – despite them having no access to a computer.
With a rapidly ageing population, this national report highlights a worrying cause for concern.
More than HALF of people over the age of 65 who have experienced problems with the health service haven’t complained because they were scared how this might impact future treatment.
Even if they wanted to complain, the report discovered almost one in five didn’t know how to and a third felt like it wouldn’t make the slightest bit of difference.
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| Elderly people are too reluctant to complain about poor healthcare, says report |
One career from a focus group in Manchester told the authors: "When people have a problem they don't know where to go; they are referred to a computer which they don't have; they are referred to a library which is too far away to get to, and they wouldn't know what to do anyway."
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Julie Mellor said: "Older people are some of the most frequent and vulnerable users of health and social care services but are the silent majority when it comes to complaining.
"Their reluctance to complain could mean that they are suffering in silence and could lead to missed opportunities to improve the service for others."
The research is concerning and it is vital every hospital patient or health care client feels any potential complaints would be properly addressed, according to Age UK.
Charity director Caroline Abrahams said: "Patient feedback is a great barometer of the quality of care and this report suggests hospitals need to do much more to reassure older patients that they can complain if they need to, free from fear.
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| With a rapidly ageing population, this national report highlights a worrying cause for concern. |
"Seeking and responding to older people's views and experiences is crucial if we're to prevent future care scandals like those that have too often blighted our hospitals and care homes in recent years."
The report urged immediate and effective action, particularly due to Britain's ageing population.
By 2030, the elderly population is set to boom and around one in 10 people living in the UK will be 75 or over, according to the Office for National Statistics.
It recommended a more proactive approach from NHS providers, which need to make sure all clients are aware of how to complain and reassure them there would be no repercussions.
The report also pointed out progress was being made, including steps by the Government to explore options for a new streamlined public ombudsman service to handle complaints.
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| The report urged immediate and effective action, particularly due to Britain's ageing population. |
A universal, independent complaints advocacy service that was easy to find and simple to use would improve the situation, Healthwatch England recommended.
A spokesman said: "We know the NHS is under pressure at this time of year, it is therefore vital that if things do go wrong patients are informed how to raise concerns and how to get help to do so if they need it.
"Without this support, thousands of incidents will continue to go under the radar every year and mistakes will never be learnt from."
Healthwatch England said there was support available for those let down by the NHS but added: "When it comes to care homes and home care services there is little to no complaints support at all, leaving very vulnerable adults with little protection."
The research was based on a national survey of almost 700 people over the age of 65, as well as focus groups and case studies.
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