This was the first face to face meeting of the group since before the pandemic. The weather was atrocious but eight members managed to struggle through torrential rain and wind to attend. A briefing paper outlined issues which the group had tackled in recent years. The two main elements of the agenda were to establish priorities and how to work to achieve progress in the coming year.
Priorities.
Tapping into the experience of older people in the Vale when using health and social care services, drawing on the principles of co-production. How are older people treated in hospital? Do staff wear name and identity badges? The quality of food.
Communication between patients, GPs, consultants and nurses.
Information and access to GPs and hospital services.
Social care services, residential and community support. The reform of social care in Wales.
Supporting screening programmes and preventive/healthy ageing initiatives.
Taking Action.
Respond to Welsh Government Consultations
Engage with the Council and Health Board to advocate for older people in the Vale on health and social care issues.
Link with Third sector organisations on issues of joint concern.
Cooperate with Forums across Wales on national issues
Play an active role in the community Health Council(shortly to become Citizens’Voice)
Work with the council Equalities Forum and Older People’s commissioner on older people’s rights.
Ron Walton January 2023.
Date of next meeting: 19th April,2-4pm Commitee Room 1. Civic Offices.
