CHAIRMAN'S COLUMN by Harold Williams.
We had a very good meeting at Ely which was arranged by the Eastern region of the NPC. Many thanks to those of our members who made the journey to support this meeting whose main topic was the subject of pensioner's health.
There were a good team of speakers who covered the health and social care of pensioners and what they can expect when they go into hospital.
Unfortunately the gradual take over of the NHS by private organisations seems to be actively encouraged by this Government. The snag is that these organisations are primary interested in profits and the needs of patients are not very high on their list of priorities
I look forward to future meetings like this that highlight our struggle for fair play for pensioners.
Among the topics raised was the question of Abuse to elderly patients, whilst the problem seems confirmed to a few hospitals, too many of the Consultants are inclined to be adversely affected by the age of the patient.
Another recent event was the 15th NPC Blackpool Parliament and I am very happy to give maximum publicity to the formal statement that was passed unanimously at the end of the parliament.
The Parliament draws attention to the increasing anger and frustration at the Government's disgraceful neglect of older people. In spite of Britain's wealth, millions of men and women struggle to survive on pensions well below the poverty line.
They face Council tax, rising utility bills which bear no relations to their income. Thousands die every winter due to poor housing and cold and an increasing number are Means tested and forced to sell their homes in order to pay for care when they were promised would be free from the cradle to the grave.
Often living alone, many are excluded from community, friends and relatives due to the lack of local amenities, adequate public transport and high fares.
Pensioners will only support electoral candidates who pledge to change the state of affairs and ensure that younger generations do not join the ranks of the poorest and most neglected pensioners in Europe.
The Pensioners Parliament calls on the Government to immediately raise the basic retirement pension for all men and women to £119.00 a week, uprating it annually in line with average earnings, replacing Council tax with a fairer system, provide nationwide public transport, free health and long term care of the highest standards.
This statement says it all; it lays down what the NPC stands for and deserves our full support.
