The Scottish Parliament should consider the creation of the role of Older People’s Commissioner for Scotland. The last 15 months have shown the need for an independent commissioner who works to protect and promote older people’s human rights, holds public bodies to account, and takes up casework on behalf of older people. During the coronavirus pandemic, older people have been at severe risk of the virus, care home residents have been cut off from loved ones, levels of loneliness and isolation have risen, and age discrimination has become increasingly prevalent. Scotland already has a Commissioner for Children & Young People and there are Older People’s Commissioners in Wales and Northern Ireland. The Scottish Parliament should seize the opportunity to deliver an Older People’s Commissioner for Scotland.
This content is created by the open source Your Priorities citizen engagement platform designed by the non profit Citizens Foundation