ABSTRACT
It is difficult to believe that discrimination exists in healthcare if we are an 'average' person, i.e. aged below 65, white, British, Christian, physically able, employed, mentally stable, heterosexual, with a local or standard accent and able to understand what is happening around us. In reality, there is good evidence that some people find it harder than others to get access to healthcare. Older people, especially those over 75 years, often have multiple problems. It can be easy to assume that some of their problems are an inevitable part of old age so that there is no point in referral to specialists and investigations. People from a different culture may have different beliefs, practices and language to health carers. Poverty is still a major problem for some people in the UK in some areas. The poor struggle to find healthy food, suitable homes or even simple shelter.
