PENSIONERS from Worcestershire were due to march on Whitehall today in a bid to secure a better deal from the NHS.

The Health Action Day aims to highlight the wide range of issues that affect older people especially the fear of having to sell homes to pay for residential care.

Heart bypass patient Chris Evans will be representing the pensioners of Worcestershire on the march.

"The NHS has a job to do but its not functioning," said Mr Evans, aged 67, from Callow End.

"I am an old-fashioned socialist who believes the state should be responsible from the cradle to the grave.

"At the moment prescription costs are astronomical and waiting times to see my own GP can be several weeks.

"I'm also fighting the principle that older people should not be forced to sell their homes to pay for nursing home care," said Mr Evans who is the MSF delegate for Worcester Midlands Pensioner Association.

"Older people and their families are increasingly concerned about the quality and cost of health care," said Fred Kaler, vice chairman of the Evesham and District Pensioners' Association.

"A place in a residential home can cost as much as £27,000 a year and that is money that people simply cannot afford.

"Homes are closing down because they say local authorities are not paying enough towards the cost of care while the council argues that they just don't have the resources to cover fees.

"The whole situation is a mess and the Government must act."

Rodney Bickerstaff, president of the National Pensioners Convention welcomed the support from Worcestershire.

"Every year, 70,000 people are forced to sell their homes in order to pay for the care they need. We want to see older people being treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.