Charity takes health campaign to Parliament

On Thursday 22nd March campaigners from older people's groups will meet Public Health Minister Michael Matheson MSP at the Scottish Parliament.  There they will hand to him more than 1100 postcards from members of the public calling on the Scottish Government to take action to ensure health and social care services fully meet older people's expectations and needs. 
The postcards were gathered by Age Scotland as part of the Charity's Heal the Break campaign. 
Charity Chief Executive David Manion, who will join the campaigners, says: "NHS Health services and Council Social Care services don't always fit together well, so too often older people find themselves in limbo in hospital when a social care package tailored to their needs could have allowed them to stay at home.
"Late last year the Scottish Government responded to these concerns and set a course to new legislation to join up health and social care services.  But while this commitment is welcome, unless campaigners keep up the pressure there is a risk that reforms will be diluted or derailed by vested interests. When the finish line is in sight, it's time to move up a gear, not put on brakes."
Campaigners are travelling from across Scotland to meet the Minister, who will join them at the Scottish Parliament main entrance shortly after 10.30am. Aline Watson, age 78, says: "I'm coming because I would like health and social care services that can quickly respond to the individual needs of older people in a coordinated way.  I would like Mr Matheson and the Scottish Government to appreciate that such a coordinated system is in the best interests of Scotland's older people and the country as a whole."
Age Scotland is encouraging older people who passionately believe that health and social care services need fixed to come along.  Communication and Campaigns Officer Doug Anthoney says: "By taking part you can help us to impress on the Minister just how serious older people are about this issue.  And if you live locally, it's only an hour or so out of your day, with coffee and cake on us afterwards. So get in touch!"
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