OVER-MEDICATION OF THE ELDERLY

Early day motion 57, tabled 2 June 1997 by Paul Flynn (Labour). Signed by 61 members.

That this House welcomes the statement of the Alzheimer's Disease Society of 28th May that in residential homes for the elderly many drugs are being inappropriately used, probably for the benefit of care home staff, which reinforces the recent recommendations of the Royal College of Physicians on the over-use of sedatives and a study in Glasgow that proved that 88 per cent. of elderly recipients of powerful neuroleptic drugs did not need them; is alarmed that alert residents of homes for the elderly are being reduced to a confused zombie-like state by inappropriate prescribing; and calls on the Government to investigate the prescribing of anti-psychotic drugs.

Signatures by party: Labour 45, Liberal Democrat 10, Labour/Co-operative 4, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1.