WHEN it comes to the care of the elderly in Britain it is our view that there are still many lessons to learn.

Some of the well-documented cases of neglect, highlighted over the past year by the likes of the Health Service Ombudsman and Patients Association, have been nothing short of shocking.

So we welcome the findings of the commission set up to look at ways of improving dignity in care for older people.

The 48 recommendations which will now be turned into an action plan, should start to make a difference.

But we do find it staggering that it takes the setting up of a commission to point out what to us is obvious.

And that is, that anyone tasked with caring for elderly people should be as compassionate as they are clever.

We would have thought that any organisation involved in employing people in a caring role would already put compassion at the top of the list of essential qualities required.

Perhaps not, and maybe that is why so many vulnerable elderly people have been let down in the past.

Of course, there are examples of excellent care around but there are just too many examples of patients being left without adequate food or pain relief.

Our elderly people should be treasured and treated with respect and dignity.

In our view, the way a society cares for its elderly is an indicator of just how civilised that society is.

And at the moment we do not come out all that well.