Six weeks' support to enable people over 65 to remain in their own homes after a fall, an illness or a stay in hospital or residential care could be offered to people under a new National Care Service, according to the prime minister.

However, details of how the service would be funded will not be revealed until a forthcoming white paper, Gordon Brown said.

Plans to extend rights to support an estimated 280,000 elderly people in the greatest need are included in the government's Personal Care at Home Bill, which is currently going through parliament.

In a speech to the King's Fund health thinktank in London, Mr Brown said he wanted to go beyond this and provide "reablement" and rehabilitation support to all over-65s in England.

"Our plans for a new national care service will include a clear commitment to roll out to every area of the country ... reablement and rehabilitation services," the prime minister said.

"This means that to help with the transition back home after a hospital stay, a residential care stay, or simply a fall or accident, people in every community will have access to intensive support services, for between four and six weeks."

Copyright © Press Association 2010

The King's Fund

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