Public services focus on the most vulnerable older people at times of crisis rather than an approach which enables the wider older population to remain independent for as long as possible and live their lives to the full. A radical change of perspective is needed to meet the challenges of the ageing society. Achieving this wider focus may not cost more because it involves a better use of resources and more effective ways of public services working together in the interests of citizens.

Consulation ends today on the review of the code of conduct for English local councillors to bring it into line with the Freedom of Information Act, introduced at the start of the year. The Standards Board for England has been seeking views on a number of issues, including ‘whistleblowing’.The consultation began in February and the Board sent out more than 62,000 consultation invitations. The responses will be used to help the Board formulate recommendations, which will go to the Office of the Deputy prime Minister.

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Experts are warning today that the European Working Time Directive – introduced last year to reduce working hours as a means of improving health and safety – may be putting doctors’ and patients’ lives at risk.An article in the British Medical Journal, by Professor Roy Pounder and colleagues, says the current NHS shift system could be a threat to safety. The Directive means that junior doctors’ working hours are now limited to a shift of no more than 13 hours followed by a break of at least 11 hours. But a survey in December, by the Royal College of Physicians, found most trainee doctors in National Health Service Trusts were now forced to work a 91-hour week as a series of night shifts. This is due to the move, since the implementation of the Directive, away from working patterns based on an on-call system.

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