Care Homes Could See Couples Stay Together

Health secretary Alan Johnson has announced plans devised by the government which could see elderly married couples allowed to live together if they have to go into a care home.

Speaking at Labour’s spring conference, he said: “When a couple have lived all their lives together they should not be forced apart at the end of their lives.”

“This will be part of our increasing focus on adult social care,” he added. “We face growing mental health problems and an ageing population in need of care.”

These proposals come as part of a government package which aims to treat NHS patients as individuals with differing needs.

The health secretary is planning to tailor NHS services to be more suitable for individuals and this will extend to mental health services and those with learning disabilities as well as care for the elderly.

Mr Johnson told the final session of the conference: “The days of patients being the passive recipients of a one-size-fits-all service are over.”