Time To Recognise Seniors - Burstow

7.36.53pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 25th Oct 2006

Paul Burstow MP for Sutton and Cheam

Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam, attended the launch of the Sutton Council's Older People's Strategy today. Mr Burstow together with representatives from a number of local and national bodies welcomed the strategy as a major step forward in engaging and meeting the needs of older people in Sutton.

Mr Burstow has worked with a number of national charities to highlight the problems faced by older people. In 2002 Mr Burstow convened a conference to discuss issues around the care of older people in Sutton. Today's launch marked the culmination of a long process started as a result of that conference.

The strategy promotes two fundamental changes:

• Coordination of service providers to make services more applicable and user friendly and to consider the needs of older people beyond basic health and social care.

• A radical change to the culture of provision, a move towards a strategic approach that engages older people in the decisions that affect their lives, and sees them as citizens that are involved in and actively benefiting their communities.

Speaking at the launch, Paul Burstow MP said:

"This strategy sends some important signals about the way public services do business. Challenging ageist attitudes and recognising older people as citizens rather than customers."

"Senior citizens make a huge contribution in this borough, at work, as volunteers, in public life, as grandparents, as carers."

"The challenge for the Council, health services and voluntary groups is to turn these words into deeds. A lot is already being done but with more of us living into an active old age more still must be done."

Notes to Editors:

Others speaking included Adi Cooper, Director of Adult Social Services and Housing for the Borough of Sutton, Dave Martin from Better Government for Older People and David Dombey, Chair of Sutton Senior's Forum.