The plight of our older people suffering neglect, malnutrition and abuse in care homes and hospital was highlighted in the press recently after the publication of a report by the Joint Committee on Human Rights (2007). Headlines decried the ‘shameful betrayal of our elderly’ after the report gave examples of poor care. Criticisms included examples of patients with pressure ulcers that were left untreated because staff felt it was not their job to treat them. Having considered this, I question whether this was a deliberate neglect or if it is simply that these carers lack the knowledge to give these patients the appropriate treatment.