Local hospitals 'can provide better care for elderly'

Smaller community hospitals can improve the palliative care and rehabilitation services offered to the elderly, the Community Hospitals Association has said.

Its views echo the comments of the new head of the NHS in England, Simon Stevens, who called for such hospitals to play a bigger role in providing care, especially for older patients.

Helen Tucker, the association's vice president, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Mr Stevens' comments were "great news", sending a "good, strong message that small is beautiful".

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Friday 30 May.