Instead of access to an experienced public service gero-psychologist who was available for assessing behaviour issues in ageing people in hospital, we now have to use an NGO. The NGO in this case has a lesser qualified, less experienced staff member whose 2 1/2 page report told us what we already knew.

The move by government to divest services to NGOs is happening at a rapid pace and without evidence for its efficacy or public discussion. Is this just about the philosophical belief in small government?

Is it going to be efficacious in the long term? If we can’t get a proper behaviour plan our person either stays in hospital at great public expense, or returns to living on the street and his circumstances will deteriorate until he’s readmitted.