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Elderly encouraged to get involved with Scottish Parliament
27/04/1998
The elderly were today encouraged to get involved with the Scottish parliament and lobby for changes where they consider them justified as three Scottish pilot projects to improve services for the elderly were confirmed.
Scottish Devolution Minister Henry McLeish, addressing the Strathclyde Elderly Forum seminar "A Strong Voice for Scotland's Older People" at Stirling as part of a series of meetings with different interest groups throughout Scotland, said:
"The formation of a united front of organisations which represent the elderly, which I understand the Forum is considering, is exactly the sort of thing we want to see. We want people to get involved - to let the new parliament know about the issues which are important to different sectors of society and to press for change where this is justified. I wholeheartedly encourage you to pursue this initiative."
Mr McLeish went on to say he wanted to see all interest groups get involved. "We want to ensure that all sectors of society are treated equally - elderly people, young people, the socially deprived, the academic community and the voluntary sector, the finacial and business sectors. But I have no doubt that there is a will to change the way that issues are considered and decisions are made in Scotland and that is what we will be looking at in the months ahead.
"I cannot emphasise enough the opportunity which this exercise presents for all sectors of society in Scotland to contribute new ideas and modern thinking to the process. All too often when major issues are being considered it is the same voices which are heard - and this only serves to limit the debate.
"We have embarked on a major consultation exercise within Scotland to ensure that as many people as possible are able to have a say in how their Parliament will work. I would urge the Forum and other groups represented here to take the opportunity to respond to this consultation exercise."
Mr McLeish also stressed that the decision to introduce a radical new PR voting element for the Parliament could benefit the elderly and help re-inforce their position, and that of other interest groups, within the new politics.
The Minister also confirmed that three pilot projects are to be set up in Scotland to improve public services for older people and give them more say in how services are run. The projects, originally announced in March, are to be led by Stirling Council, Scottish Borders Council and Lanarkshire Council. They will include a wide ranging partnership with agencies such as health trusts, the police and voluntary groups in order to deliver services in a seemless and more cost effective way. The pilots will employ a range of strategies including greater use of information technology, new one stop shops, improved information, new user groups for older people and looking at ways of giving older people a greater say in the decision making process.
News Release: 0845/98
April 27, 1998