The Plight of Unpaid Carers in Scotland (16): Human Rights and Rights for Unpaid Carers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cutting from The Herald, 11th of December, 2013, page nine.

 

 

 

For many members of the public, it can be very difficult to define precisely what rights we have. All too often,

politicians, the media, charities, etc., will refer to, and debate, the rights we all are alleged to have, and assume

we have.

 

About twenty years ago, I was looking after an elderly and very vulnerable relative. Every time they had to go

to the NHS’s Victoria Infirmary, or the Southern General, we could have no doubt that much of the treatment,

especially from nurses, would be very poor. My relative was so scared of having to go to either.

 

After one particularly bad experience, I decided to contact two charities, Age Concern and Help the Aged. I

was describing what had happened to my relative, and asked why it seemed impossible to find out what rights

they have in an NHS hospital. The extremely kind and helpful member of the charity’s staff explained:

 

“governments don’t want members of the public to have too many rights, as this would make things more difficult

for the government in enforcing its policies.”

 

In 2025, it possibly seems that such comments would be outdated, but are they? Athough I am approaching 70,

and have some serious disabilities, I still manage to provide unpaid care and support.

 

In 2024, I contacted three charities and asked what rights I have as an older member of the public and with

disabilities, as well as what my rights are in an NHS hospital.

 

None of the people I spoke with at Citizens Advice Scotland, Age Concern Scotland, or Disability Information

Scotland, was able to answer any of my questions. I assumed that the responses would be straightforward.

 

Two of the people offered long pauses, and asked what I meant. I explained my situation again, hoping for

something useful. Independently, both call handlers told me that I “have the right not to be tortured”, and “the

right not to be enslaved”.

 

Without wishing to be disrespectful, I responded, jokingly, that the present state of politics across Scotland

is bad, but I don’t expect I need to worry about being “tortured” or “enslaved” by the present incumbents,

but one never knows.

 

With regard to being in an NHS hospital, my personal experience as a patient was not good. Over the years,

we often are told about patients’ rights, but rarely how we can ensure these rights are not only respected,

but also upheld.

 

I asked one of the charities what my rights are, and was told about the Patients Rights Act. However, when

I asked about how I can ensure that everthing detailed in the Act is adhered to, there was a pause, then

a rather brief response.

 

The advice was that I could turn to a lawyer for support, but this is not an easy route. It also can be too late,

if the damage is done.

 

I have been through numerous complaints’ procedures, over the years, and know that delaying tactics,

obfuscation, and lying are common.

 

The newspaper cutting is included here, as many politicians like to talk about “Human Rights” and promise

great things. Unfortunately, from my experience, the reality is quite different.

 

 

 

 

George Fairfull-Smith, July 2025.