Responding to comments made by former Scottish government official, Professor June Andrews, to the Scottish Parliament's public audit committee about the spread of COVID-19 among the older population, Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age, said:
“The comments made by Professor Andrews are indeed at face value awful, but also highlight our failing system of health and social care in the UK. No one wants to be stuck in hospital after a period of poor health, but until a fair and effective social care system is finally developed this will not change.
“On his first day as Prime Minister, Boris Johnson promised to fix social care based on a plan they had prepared, that was over seven months ago yet no coherent plan has yet emerged. Time is ticking and every day people are being denied the opportunity to live a good quality later life. Independent Age will keep a close eye on the forthcoming cross-party discussions to ensure older people and their families are at the heart of any proposals.
“Describing a pandemic as useful, because of a long-standing lack of political will to ensure everyone has access to good health and social care, should never be part of our society’s values.”