CARE SYSTEM LETTING DOWN THE ELDERLY

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 22nd Jan 2007

Following Health Minister Ivan Lewis's admission that some elderly people are not being properly fed in hospital or care homes, the Liberal Democrats have attacked the Government for failing the elderly.

Commenting ahead of the Government campaign this week to improve the quality of food offered to thousands of vulnerable old people, Liberal Democrat Sam Potts said:

"The minister's words are a stunning admission that the care system still lets down the frail and elderly after nearly ten years of Labour rule.

"This is a two part problem: the quality of food must improve if it is to help with the recovery process. However, the nutritional content of the food is irrelevant if nurses do not have the time to help feed frail and needy patients.

"We have had too many empty promises from the Government. This latest scheme will only work if it is backed with the proper investment in both resources and staff."

ENDS