The K&C LINk and the K&C Forum for Older Residents held a consultation event on February 10th, 2010 in Kensington Town Hall to consider the requirements of the Equality Bill.  We invited guests from the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC), NHS K&C and the Department of Health so we could understand how the proposed legislation would affect the provision of services and the exercise of public functions in the borough.

The event was fully booked two weeks in advance, with 106 people in attendance.  Local older people provided their views on the Bill and the proposed response of health and social care services locally.

Attendees very much welcomed the provisions of the Bill and feel it should be implemented for all sectors as soon as possible and no later than 2012.  Any exceptions to the Bill should be kept to a minimum and should be objectively justified.   Attendees were clear that legislation will only achieve its desired impact if the GEO and DH rolls-out an effective support package to ensure real implementation at the operational level.  Local people and service users should, and are seeking to, be involved in further accessible engagement with local health and social care services.  Numerous members wish to be involved in the monitoring and reporting of provisions to ensure an end to age discrimination in K&C.

If you would like to support the LINk fulfill this role, contact us now on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or ph: 020 8968 7049.

You can read the full report from the event here