Hospital Treatment of Older People needs investigation.

CPA Press Release says

'The treatment of older people in hospitals must be investigated by the
NHS, say campaigners for Britain's Christian Democrats, the Christian
Peoples Alliance. The party says that latest warnings by experts caring
for the terminally ill that NHS patients are dying prematurely cannot be
ignored.

Commenting, CPA spokeswoman, Maria Overend from St Helens, said
the latest report added to evidence of elder abuse in public services:

"The departure by large parts of the caring services from the Christian
and Hippocratic principle of "doing no harm" has led to euthanasia and
assisted suicide of older people. Every person - no matter their age or
severity of medical diagnosis - deserves respect and treatment for their
condition, without fear of being killed. This sinister and creeping
development will not pass us by and as Christian Democrats we will contest
the practise and restore dignity and compassion to the health service."

Last Thursday, six medics wrote to the Daily Telegraph saying that current
advice which allows drugs, food and liquids to be withdrawn from a dying
patient could mask signs of improvement. The Liverpool Care Pathway
(LCP) was drawn up by Marie Curie to reduce suffering for dying patients
and is now used in hundreds of hospitals and care homes in England.

The six experts say that "forecasting death is an inexact science" and
that decisions are made that some patients are close to death "without
regard to the fact that the diagnosis could be wrong. "As a result a
national wave of discontent is building up, as family and friends witness
the denial of fluids and food to patients."

Maria Overend, who stood in June for the European Parliament, added:

"The CPA totally opposes the designation of food and liquids as 'medical
treatment'. It isn't a surprise to hear about the devastating consequences
of this policy on the individuals and families concerned. The policy has
to now be reviewed and all intentional killing repudiated. "

Last month, the Patients Association drew attention to the poor treatment
of elderly people in some parts of the NHS. The Christian Peoples Alliance
wants an Advocate for Older People in the NHS to tackle elder abuse,
deliberate acts leading to death or neglect of older people in health and
social service centres. It will make dignity of older people a priority
ahead of the coming General Election. The party also sees a case for
repealing or amending the Mental Capacity Act (2005) – which enshrined
into law the Bland judgement that allows euthanasia by neglect.


For more information: email press@cpaparty.org.uk Or visit
www.cpaparty.org.uk'