A new emphasis will be given to preventing and treating strokes and speeding up recovery. New specialist teams will be set up to improve the care, treatment and rehabilitation of older people who are injured as a result of falls. The best in the NHS leads the world. This has to become the norm throughout the health services. Patients, whatever their age, want to spend as little time as possible away from home.
Older people value their independence as much as anyone.
Care requiring the skills of a qualified nurse will be free of charge, whether a person is being cared for in their own home or in a care home. New teams and services will enable more older people each year to be cared for and treated at home and so prevent unnecessary hospital admissions. An extra 105 million will be spent by the NHS over the next three years on community equipment such as hoists, grab rails, chair lifts and other essential aids to provide extra help at home. Every older person who needs it will receive a one-stop assessment service and have an individual care plan. No decisions will be taken on long-term care without proper assessment of the chances of rehabilitation.