Convalescent homes to make a comeback

Elderly hospital patients are to be given “intermediate” care in new convalescent homes and wards, the health secretary, Alan Milburn, announced last week.

Mr Milburn told a meeting at the King's Fund, London, that he would like to build a bridge between home and hospital for elderly people: “At the moment, for too many elderly people there is a false choice between hospital and home. That forces a …