AGE Concern is currently researching older people's experiences of the NHS, to back up our campaign to reduce age discrimination which occurs in service provision.

Frank Dobson, Secretary of State for Health, has made a statement confirming the Government's commitment to provision of healthcare on the basis of need alone. Age Concern has identified three main problem areas - attitudes to older people, delays and refusal of treatment. We are now asking for help provide evidence of discrimination.

We would like to receive information from any local older person who has experienced discrimination or feels that they have been treated differently since they became older. We would also like to hear from older people who have had particularly good experiences of local NHS services, so we can use any local examples of good practice to improve the situation nationally.

Any older person can write to me. Information received would be treated anonymously to lend support to the national campaign.

VICKY SHEPHERD, Information Services Manager, Age Concern, Blackburn with Darwen, 4 King Street, Blackburn BB2 2DH.

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