The ageing population: is it time for an international convention of rights?

An increasing ageing population gives rise to many challenges for healthcare delivery. The need to ensure that there is respect for the rights and the dignity of older patients has been a consistent theme over the last decade. However, the vulnerability of this group of patients was highlighted again recently in a highly critical Health Service Commissioners Report. This article explores the case for a more overt form of rights protection and whether there is a case for a Human Rights Convention for the Older Person.