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Responding to news that age discrimination against NHS patients is to be made illegal, Jenny Ritchie-Campbell, Director of Cancer Services Innovation, says:
"This much-needed ban on age discrimination in the NHS is welcome news as we know that older cancer patients are less likely to receive the best treatment for their cancer than younger people. “The way older cancer patients are assessed for treatment often fails to identify those who are fit and would benefit from treatment, from those who are frail and need less aggressive treatment and more support. Assuming someone cannot cope with treatment because they are “too old” is a blatant act of discrimination. “We hope this new law leads to older cancer patients being given a proper assessment and treatment that is based on their individual needs and overall fitness, not solely their date of birth.”
"This much-needed ban on age discrimination in the NHS is welcome news as we know that older cancer patients are less likely to receive the best treatment for their cancer than younger people.
“The way older cancer patients are assessed for treatment often fails to identify those who are fit and would benefit from treatment, from those who are frail and need less aggressive treatment and more support. Assuming someone cannot cope with treatment because they are “too old” is a blatant act of discrimination.
“We hope this new law leads to older cancer patients being given a proper assessment and treatment that is based on their individual needs and overall fitness, not solely their date of birth.”
Rebecca Openshaw – Media & PR Officer 020 7840 4699 (out of hours 07801 307068) Ropenshaw@macmillan.org.uk|
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