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| Older people's champion for Wales | Older people's champion for Wales |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan is due to announce the appointment of a Commissioner for Older People - the first such post in the UK. | Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan is due to announce the appointment of a Commissioner for Older People - the first such post in the UK. |
| Ruth Marks, who is currently director of the Royal National Institute of Blind People in Wales, will take up her role in April. | Ruth Marks, who is currently director of the Royal National Institute of Blind People in Wales, will take up her role in April. |
| She has vowed to "ensure that the voice of older people is heard" and that they are involved in all policy making. | She has vowed to "ensure that the voice of older people is heard" and that they are involved in all policy making. |
| In 2001 Wales was the first part of the UK to name a Children's Commissioner. | In 2001 Wales was the first part of the UK to name a Children's Commissioner. |
| Plans for the Commissioner for Old People were first revealed three years ago by Welsh Secretary Peter Hain. | Plans for the Commissioner for Old People were first revealed three years ago by Welsh Secretary Peter Hain. |
| In the worst circumstances older people are abused and neglected Ruth Marks | |
| As well as looking at the interests of older people as a whole, the commissioner will be able to look at the effects that public bodies, such as the Welsh Assembly and NHS, have on them, and may publish reports on recommendations for change. | As well as looking at the interests of older people as a whole, the commissioner will be able to look at the effects that public bodies, such as the Welsh Assembly and NHS, have on them, and may publish reports on recommendations for change. |
| Speaking about her role, Ms Marks said: "It is a cause for celebration that we are living longer and healthier lives, but that doesn't mean older people in Wales have no difficulties to face. | Speaking about her role, Ms Marks said: "It is a cause for celebration that we are living longer and healthier lives, but that doesn't mean older people in Wales have no difficulties to face. |
| "Some older people may be struggling financially, others are unable to access the services they need, and many are isolated and lonely." | "Some older people may be struggling financially, others are unable to access the services they need, and many are isolated and lonely." |
| She added: "In the worst circumstances older people are abused and neglected." | She added: "In the worst circumstances older people are abused and neglected." |
| World-leader | World-leader |
| Rhodri Morgan said Wales was setting an example for others to follow.The commissioner will represent the interests of the elderly | Rhodri Morgan said Wales was setting an example for others to follow.The commissioner will represent the interests of the elderly |
| "Wales is widely recognised as a world-leader in giving older people a greater say in developing services," the first minister said. | "Wales is widely recognised as a world-leader in giving older people a greater say in developing services," the first minister said. |
| "This unique commissioner will further consolidate Wales's reputation." | "This unique commissioner will further consolidate Wales's reputation." |
| Candidates for the new commissioner role were interviewed in November by a panel of seven older people nominated by members of the National Partnership Forum and representing a variety of ages and backgrounds. | Candidates for the new commissioner role were interviewed in November by a panel of seven older people nominated by members of the National Partnership Forum and representing a variety of ages and backgrounds. |
| The formal selection panel was chaired by the Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, and contained AMs from the other political parties and two members of the older people's panel. | The formal selection panel was chaired by the Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, and contained AMs from the other political parties and two members of the older people's panel. |
| Ms Marks was chief executive of Chwarae Teg, the organisation which promotes and develops the role of women in the workforce, before joining RNIB Cymru in 2005. | Ms Marks was chief executive of Chwarae Teg, the organisation which promotes and develops the role of women in the workforce, before joining RNIB Cymru in 2005. |
| Anna Palazon, Wales Director of Help the Aged, said: "We need a commissioner more than anything else to address the fact that we live in an endemically ageist society. | Anna Palazon, Wales Director of Help the Aged, said: "We need a commissioner more than anything else to address the fact that we live in an endemically ageist society. |
| "Whilst I do not believe that older people need a champion as such, what we do need is a champion to tackle the problems that Western society has in regards to ageing." | "Whilst I do not believe that older people need a champion as such, what we do need is a champion to tackle the problems that Western society has in regards to ageing." |