Politicians in Scotland are being urged to appoint an independent commissioner who would stand up for the rights of older people.

The call is being made by Dr Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care, who says that discriminatory attitudes towards seniors has “been at the heart” of much of the pandemic.

In a blog published online, he said: “Ageism has been at the heart of so much of what has been the experience of older people during this pandemic.

“Whether it has been the suggestion that covid-19 was a ‘baby boomer harvest’ and only affected the old, all the way through to comments in the media this past week about the requirement to ‘segregate the old and vulnerable’ in order to protect and safeguard them.

“Throughout the pandemic there has been an obscene, conscious and at times unconscious, ageism at the centre of much social and media commentary.”

Wales and Northern Ireland already have older people’s commissioners, who are independent of government and accountable to parliament.

In England the Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield has been a regular critic of government policies, including the row over the provision of free school meals in half term.

Concerns have been voiced over the treatment of care home residents during the pandemic, the majority of whom are older people.

To date 46% of the 4,301 covid-19 deaths in Scotland have happened in residential care, compared to 47% in hospitals.

Independent watchdogs and charities have raised concerns that Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNACPR) notices were being applied inappropriately or without input from relatives for over-65s with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Dr Macaskill added: “In practical actions, from a questionable ethical Guidance document which used age as a proxy for decision making, through to the inappropriate use of DNACPRs, to unequal treatment of older people in terms of access to social care packages, to the lack of agency and voice to those who receive care at the table of decisions – this pandemic has been a shameful enactment of profound age discrimination right across Scotland.

“It is time for that to change. It is time for government and political leadership across the parties in Scotland to take older age seriously and create a post for a Commissioner.”

Scottish Labour has backed the call, with the party’s health spokesperson Monica Lennon MSP telling healthandcare.scot:  

“Months ago, I asked the Scottish Government to appoint an independent commissioner for older people to stand up for their rights, and Scottish Government Older People’s Minister Christina McKelvie blocked this.

“Tragically older people have paid the heaviest price during the covid-19 crisis, especially those living in care homes.

“We can’t change the past but we can build a future where the rights of our oldest citizens will always be respected and protected.

“Committing to the appointment of an independent commissioner for older people would be an important first step and all political parties should support this.

“It’s extremely disappointing that the Scottish government refuses to change its position.”

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