Department of Health Country Resources Older Persons General Health Policies, Laws, Strategies & Plans, Service Standards England and Wales, United Kingdom Policy document

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One of the biggest challenges facing the NHS today is an ageing population. People over 75 make up around 30 per cent of emergency hospital admissions, and because they can be the most vulnerable, this can be distressing for them and their families. It also puts undue strain on A&E and hospitals. And already one quarter of the population is living with a long-term condition, which may require extra attention because their needs are complex.

This is why this updated Mandate reflects the Government’s priority to transform the way the NHS provides care for older people and those with complex needs – from a system which is largely reactive, responding when something goes wrong to a proactive service, which is centred around the needs of each individual patient
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NHS England is legally required to pursue the objectives in this document.3 However it will only succeed through releasing the energy, ideas and enthusiasm of frontline staff and organisations. The importance of this principle is reflected in the legal duties on the Secretary of State and NHS England as to promoting the autonomy of local clinical commissioners and others.

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