AGE Concern is campaigning for a change to the benefits system.

Ever since 1948 when the National Insurance system was introduced, pensioners have faced a reduction in their pension if they are in hospital for six weeks or more. For a single person, after a six week stay in hospital, the pension is reduced by £28.30 a week. When a patient has a dependent at home, the pension is reduced by £14.50. There are other cuts to other benefits too. After 52 weeks the pension is reduced to £14.50.

Many people are not aware of the rules, which are complicated. They point out to Age Concern that once a benefit is stopped or reduced it is often difficult to get it started again. They also point out that although you may save on some home costs when you are in hospital, you probably still have to pay for other things like insurance, telephone rental, TV licence, fuel cost standing charges and more besides.

Although we know there were around 31,500 pensioners in this position last autumn, we don't know how many it applied to in Swindon. But we do want to hear from people particularly if they are willing to "go on the record" and say what it has meant to them or someone they are caring for.

Please write to me at Age Concern Swindon, 14 Milton Road, Swindon, SN1 5JE, telephone (01793) 692166 or email jo.osorio@ ageconcern.org.uk. Readers can find out more about our campaign at www.ageconcern.org.uk/campaigns.

And finally, thanks to the Advertiser and all Advertiser readers for their support to Age Concern Swindon during 2001.

JO OSORIO

Age Concern Swindon