“It is disgraceful that into today’s society older people are being denied the treatment and care they need just because of their age.

“Attitudes and policies need to change urgently to stop older people being denied life saving treatment. It is scandalous that the risk of getting breast cancer increases with age, invitations to breast screening for women stop at 70. Simple changes in attitudes are needed, firstly all health practitioners need to ensure they listen to older patients and treat them with dignity.

 “We are calling on the government to adopt a duty on all public services to promote age equality. This would have the potential to transform the services older people receive and help them get a fair deal. Everyone should have the right to services and treatment according to their needs as individuals, never on the basis of age.”