Many older patients worry that they are receiving less care than their younger counterparts for the very good reason that the care they are receiving is less good. The Care Quality Commission found that while much care is good, fewer hospitals than on previous inspections were shown to be respecting people’s privacy and dignity, with nearly one in five failing to meet people’s needs. It is all the more important that those of us in general practice really do act as the powerful advocates for our patients that we can be.