OAPs need online protection - Wales commisioner (From South Wales Argus)

OAPs need online protection - Wales commisioner

10:10am Sunday 14th October 2012 in News By David Deans, Reporter

PENSIONERS should be protected online after pictures of elderly patients in hospital appeared on Facebook, the Older People's Commissioner said.

The Argus reported last month that two bed-ridden women were photographed on a ward at Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny, with the image uploaded along with a string of comments mocking them.

Sarah Rochira has told Plaid Cymru AM Lindsay Whittle she has contacted both the Aneurin Bevan Health Board and the chief executive of the NHS over the inappropriate use of mobile phones in hospital by patients.

She said: "I recognise the challenge that the digital age presents."It is important that we take this seriously so that older people are appropriately protected in an increasingly online environment."

She had agreed the photographs were an invasion of privacy and highlighted the low regard that some people viewed older people.

Mr Whittle said he was delighted at the action of the Older People's Commissioner."

I hope people will realise that is is not acceptable to post derogatory comments on social media sites and also invade the privacy of unwell patients," he added.

The photograph was posted using a mobile phone by a fellow patient with friends saying thins like "There's a funny green mist surrounding her!" and another saying they laughed out loud seeing "that old bird".