Clause 2
Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [Lords]
12:15 pm
Nia Griffith (Llanelli, Labour)
I very much welcome the proactive role that the clause sets out for the commissioner. It is easy for us to acknowledge the needs and concerns of older people in Wales, but the clause specifies that the commissioner’s role will go further and that he will promote and safeguard their interests. Matters such as prejudice and discrimination can be complex, and while it can be easy to recognise direct discrimination there can always be indirect discrimination through factors that make it more difficult for an older person to participate in activities or benefit from opportunities than it is for a younger person. The commissioner will have the role of actively promoting opportunities for older people and of driving forward the elimination of discrimination in a wide range of areas such as leisure, health and social services.
It is important that that proactive role is recognised. The commissioner must not be seen just as a glorified ombudsman. He will have the role of encouraging best practice in public bodies and services in Wales.
We all know that life expectancy is increasing. Today, and not for the first time since I was elected, I had the pleasure of sending 100th birthday greetings to one of my constituents—this time to Mrs. Phillips from Golwg y Mynydd. We know that needs will increase with life expectancy and encouraging best practice will involve planning for that. That is important because we all know that when services are under pressure best practice is sometimes forgotten. That is why it is important to have a commissioner looking at services from the point of the view of older people.