New plans to improve care for vulnerable older people

The government is seeking views from NHS, social care and public health staff, carers and patients on new proposals aimed at enhancing care standards for vulnerable older people.

Plans outlined by health secretary Jeremy Hunt include having a named clinician responsible for older people's care outside of hospital, as well as new measures to ensure accountability is clear and care packages are personalised to individual needs.

Efforts will be made to improve access to primary care through new types of services such as rapid walk-in access, while out-of-hours services will be enhanced to ensure they are consistent and safe.

Meanwhile, the friends and family test is also being rolled out to general practice by December 2014 and new ways of sharing information and joining up services will be considered.

Mr Hunt said: "We need radical improvements to make sure our most vulnerable and elderly have the support they need to keep them in better health and out of hospital."

Final plans will be published in October 2013 and will be reflected in the refreshed Mandate to NHS England for 2014/15.