Statement ahead of the appearance in the Court of Appeal of Johnson and others v Havering

Thursday 11 January 2007

Age Concern’s Director General, Gordon Lishman, said:

"Care home residents can be amongst the most vulnerable people in society - and not protecting their dignity and human rights is an abhorrent.

"The Human Rights Act can offer protection against undignified treatment, abuse and any actions that affect quality of life. To leave publicly-funded care home residents, or indeed anybody, unprotected against such indignities is unacceptable. As an absolute priority, the Human Rights Act should be widened in scope - through case law or by amending legislation if necessary - to remove the ‘Leonard Cheshire’ loophole, thus ensuring that all providers of public services, including those in the private and voluntary sectors, fall within the ambit of the Act.

"The Government's Dignity in Care campaign offers the perfect opportunity to finally close this loophole. A simple change to legislation will secure the human rights protection of older people in all care homes, and make a real difference to many vulnerable people."