Scottish Labour unveils plan for Older People's Commissioner after covid pandemic tragedies

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Scottish ministers are under pressure to support a dedicated commissioner for older people in the wake of covid.Labour has confirmed plans for a bill which would champion older citizens and protect their rights.Children and young people have a standalone commissioner in Scotland, but there is no similar post for the elderly.This in spite of a commissioner existing in Wales and North Ireland.Colin Smyth, a South Scotland MSP, will launch a member’s bill correcting what he believes is an oversight.He said the pandemic, during which thousands of residents in care homes died of covid and other residents were prevented from seeing relatives, was a watershed moment.He told the Record: “Covid-19 had a profound impact on all our lives but for older people it was just devastating.“A day rarely went past at the height of the pandemic without a constituent raising with me their heart-breaking experiences of not having access to their loved ones in a care home because we couldn’t get our act together over testing, the removal of social care packages, the pressure of Do Not Attempt Resuscitation decisions, the loneliness and isolation and the appalling death rate among those in later life.“Even now I get so many cases every day from constituents whose older relatives are stuck in hospital because we don’t have enough carers and suitable housing for them to go home to.”He added: “I think we will look back on that dark period with a sense of shame at the way so many older people were let down.“I kept asking myself that when all the big decisions were being made, who, independent of Government but with the ear of Ministers, was championing the human rights of older people and making sure their voice, their views were being listened to.“