In this powerful episode, Gill Phillips chats with her long-time friend Dorothy Hall, a former social worker and fierce advocate for fairness. They explore the realities of ageism in healthcare.At 82 and a half, Dorothy brings a wealth of lived experience—as a professional, a family carer, and now as someone navigating the NHS as an older person.She highlights the stark contrast between systems that dismiss patients based on age and those that embrace co-production and shared decision-making. Dorothy shares two shocking yet inspiring stories:How she was abruptly denied essential treatment for a genetic condition upon turning 80—without warning, discussion, or a clear clinical rationaleHer journey to access an innovative light therapy treatment for macular degeneration, which remains largely unknown and unavailable on the NHS despite its life-changing potentialInstead of accepting the system’s failings, Dorothy took matters into her own hands—seeking a second opinion, finding more compassionate healthcare providers, and ultimately reclaiming control over her own care.Lemon lightbulbs 🍋💡🍋🍋 Co-production doesn’t stop at 80 - see the person🍋  Healthcare should be about needs, not numbers – age alone should never determine whether someone gets treatment🍋 Patients shouldn’t have to be experts in NICE guidelines or fight for info🍋 Don’t push people into complaints—listen first – most patients don’t want a fight, they just want fair treatment🍋 The complaints process takes a huge toll on people🍋 Empathy transforms healthcare🍋 Joint decision-making rocks!🍋 Short-term cuts create long-term costs – and unnecessary suffering🍋 Rigid NHS systems fail real people – bureaucratic barriers, arbitrary cut-offs, and poor communication leave people helpless🍋  Being  'outside the system' can be a nightmare🍋 Seek a second opinion🍋  Vision loss is life-changing - NHS should embrace this proven, non-invasive macular degeneration preventative treatment🍋  It’s not just about vision - age-related sight loss affects independence, mobility and mental health🍋 Patient advocacy is powerful – knowing your rights, pushing back, and seeking alternatives can change everything🍋 Honest communication matters!!!Links:Encouraging results from light therapy study for dry age-related macular degeneration - study published by the Macular Society #WIGO - When I Get Old campaign - Gill Phillips chats with Angela Catley✨ A must-listen episode for anyone passionate about health inequalities, patient advocacy, and how we can build a healthcare system that truly listens to people—at every stage of life.  🎧We LOVE it when you leave a review!If you enjoy my podcast and find these conversations usefulplease share your thoughts by leaving a review (Spotify or Apple are easiest to leave a review - navigate via 3 dots) and comment on your favourite episodes.I tweet as @WhoseShoes and @WildCardWS and am on Instagram as @WildCardWS.Please recommend 'Wild Card - Whose Shoes' to others who enjoy hearing passionate people talk about their experiences of improving health care.