Responding to the Care Quality Commission’s State of Health Care and Adult Social Care in England report‚ Michelle Mitchell‚ Charity Director for Age Concern and Help the Aged‚ said: “The demand for high quality health and social care services will increase dramatically as our population continues to age. This report rightly highlights the need for health and social care services to be better co-ordinated so that people can be assured they get the care they need‚ when they need it most. “While overall standards of care have improved over recent years‚ there is still an unacceptable level of service providers not meeting the minimum standards required for the wellbeing and welfare of older people. “It is disappointing that the CQC is still finding performance low in the key role of challenging discrimination and promoting human rights in comparison to other areas of service provision. We’re also very concerned that only a third of councils are monitoring equality targets. People in later life have experienced discrimination in the provision of health and care services for far too long. This situation must be properly addressed and monitored so that older people experience care which enshrines dignity‚ choice and fairness. “We welcome the recent spotlight on social care reform; however it must not become a political football between the parties. As we approach the general election‚ we’re calling for all political parties to set out definitive plans for reforming the entire care and support system. We need long term solutions to care reform for older people now and generations to come.” View the story at it's source http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/care-quality-report-response-100210.asp