NEWS RELEASE

Contact:        Gary Martin    

Tel Admin:        0044 (0) 20 8765 7000  

Fax:                  0044 (0) 20 8679 4074

Helpline:           080 8808 8141 UK

Helpline:           1800 940 010   Ireland

Embargo: 11.15am 20 May 2008                                                           A0509

Abuse charity strongly welcomes Michael Parkinson as the Governments new Dignity Ambassador

Action on Elder Abuse, (AEA) the leading specialist charity focussing upon the abuse of older people, has welcomed today’s announcement that Michael Parkinson has been appointed as the Governments new Dignity Ambassador. 

Gary FitzGerald, Chief Executive of AEA, said “Dignity is at the heart of good quality social and health care and the Government has made this as a central plank of their strategy to make life better for older people.  Michael Parkinson enjoys a special place in the hearts and minds of many people throughout the UK and we are delighted that he has accepted the role of Dignity Ambassador.”

Continued FitzGerald, “AEA is one of the Governments Dignity Guardians and we are committed to the campaign to raise awareness of the need to provide care in a respectful and dignified manner.  The planned six month nationwide tour by Care services Minister, Ivan Lewis, to the ten English NHS regions will add a focus on the quality of care in our health services that will be difficult to ignore. ”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

For further information on this news release please call 020 8765 7000 and speak to Daniel Blake.

1.                   Ivan Lewis, the Minister responsible for Social Care, launched the Dignity in Care campaign in November 2006 and Action on Elder Abuse is one of the Government’s named ‘Dignity Guardians’ and a strong supporter of the campaign.

2.                   Action on Elder Abuse is a national charity which aims to protect, and prevent the abuse of, vulnerable older people.  It does this by raising awareness of the issues, encouraging education and by giving information and support to those in need. It has the only national freephone helpline dedicated to this cause and callers may ring from Monday to Friday between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm on 080 8808 8141 from the UK or 1800 940 010 from the Republic of Ireland for confidential support and information. For further information on Action on Elder Abuse go to website: www.elderabuse.org.uk