Website of the Department of Health

National service framework for older people

A National Service Framework for Older People has been established to look at the problems older people face in receiving care in order to deliver higher quality services. The key standards that underpin the Framework are outlined. These include plans to eradicate age discrimination and to support person-centred care with newly integrated services. A new layer of intermediate care is being developed at home or in care settings, while general hospital care should be delivered by the appropriate hospital staff. The NHS is also to take action on stroke prevention, in the promotion of health and active life and a reduction in the number of falls for older people. Integrated mental health services are to be provided for older people. The process of translating these nationally supported standards into local delivery is outlined.

• Download NSF for older people (PDF, 510K)
• National service framework for older people browsable version
• National service framework for older people: executive summary