Eight in ten doctors believe healthcare services for older people are not good enough, with only one in ten believing enough money is being spent on care of the elderly in the NHS, shows a BMA survey out today (Monday 12 May 2008).

Around 500 GPs, consultants and staff grade doctors responded to the BMA survey about the care provided to older patients. The biggest area of concern was the lack of services available in the community, with only one in ten (8.1%) feeling that activities provided in residential and care homes to maintain mental agility and physical exercise were adequate. Two thirds (62.1%) thought there were not enough services to support people with dementia. Only a third (33.6%) said older people had continuous access to podiatry services.