SHOULD ASSISTED DYING BE LEGALISED? – HAVE YOUR SAY ON 24 APRIL 2010

AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT – PUBLIC OPEN MORNING – HAVE YOUR SAY ON 24 APRIL 2010 25 February 2010 Should assisted dying be legalised? Should there be dedicated hospital wards for older patients? What do carers really want? To debate these and other topical issues related to healthcare in old age, Edinburgh residents are invited to attend a public open morning on Saturday 24 April, to share their views and concerns with health professionals. The event is free of charge and will take place between 9am and 1.30pm at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. Sheena McDonald, TV and radio broadcaster and journalist, will address the audience as the keynote speaker at the start of the morning. Participants will then join one of four interactive workshops which will cover the following areas: · Ethical Issues in Old Age · Care and Carers’ Concerns · Research with Older Adults · Health Services for Older People The findings from each workshop will be shared with all participants in a final plenary session and written up and brought to the attention of policy makers and health care professionals. The morning is being organised by the British Geriatrics Society (BGS), a membership association of healthcare professionals with a special interest in the care of older people. Alex Mair, BGS Chief Executive, said: “This is a great opportunity for members of the public and healthcare professionals to enlighten each other. Exchanging different perspectives of key concerns and problems within the way healthcare for older people is organised and delivered will enable us to identify shared priorities. We can then bring these to the attention of policy makers and seek to influence future research programmes. We hope that lots of people will come forward and share their views.” More information about the event – Age of Enlightenment - can be found on the BGS website www.bgs.org.uk and those wishing to attend can either register online or contact Mark Stewart on 020 7608 1369. For more information about the morning, or to interview Alex Mair, please contact Iona-Jane Harris on 020 7608 8573 or 07766 227724 or email ionajaneharris@bgs.org.uk NOTES TO EDITORS 1. The British Geriatrics Society (BGS) is a membership association of doctors, nurses, therapists, scientists and others with a particular interest in the care of the frail older person and in promoting better health in old age. Visit: www.bgs.org.uk 2. The BGS strives to promote better understanding of the healthcare needs of older people and to share examples of best practice to ensure that older patients are treated with dignity and respect by all clinical staff they come into contact with. 3. 2010 marks the 50th anniversary of the Scottish branch of the BGS. BGS Scotland is governed by an elected executive that has geographical representation from all over Scotland, doctors in training, non-career grade doctors and a co-opted representative from the Scottish Government Health Department. The group continues to negotiate directly with officials and ministers in the Scottish Government over a wide range of issues. 1

Tags: