Guardian

Saturday January 27, 2001

Pensioners throughout Britain will rightly see the Scottish parliament's decision to introduce free personal care to all pensioners north of the border as a victory for justice, equality and compassion (Rebels force u-turn on care for elderly, January 26). By adhering to the recommendations of the royal commission on the funding of long-term care, Holyrood's MSPs have given a clear lead to their Westminster counterparts. In so doing, pensioners in England and Wales will now be able to ask why they should have to pay to receive help to bathe or eat a meal - when the same services are free to their Scottish neighbours.

Surely a national health service means just that. Failure to introduce the same provision throughout Britain will highlight one of the worst cases of postcode-related care ever seen. That is why personal care should be available to all, free at the point of need. Nothing less will do.
Jack Jones
President, National Pensioners Convention