Parts of Sussex have the highest proportion of old people in the country, especially on the south coast in towns such as Worthing and Bexhill.

Elderly people put a strain on both hospital and social services because they tend to have more things wrong with them than anyone else.

A national report has criticised NHS hospitals in England and Wales for sometimes treating elderly people as second class citizens.

But it seems hospitals in Sussex are generally doing their best despite difficult circumstances and a chronic lack of cash.

It is utterly and completely wrong for any old person not to be given proper care and attention in hospital. They have the same needs and feelings as anyone else.

Often when they are old, frail, alone and confused they are less able to make their complaints known with force and conviction.

New hospitals such as Mill View in Hove are being built to replace outmoded and depressing buildings such as Brighton General Hospital.

This will help towards improving care for the elderly. But even more important is getting the attitude of staff right first.