Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust (PCT) has launched a public consultation on plans to change how health care is delivered for older people who attend the day hospitals at Nelson and Sutton Hospitals.

The PCT plans to improve patient care by helping people get the right care more quickly and reducing waiting lists, while improving the efficiency of the service.

Under the new proposals, the day hospitals would be replaced with an assessment centre, which could be based at the Nelson Hospital, and two rehabilitation centres, which could be based at the Nelson and Sutton Hospitals, staffed by healthcare professionals.

By dealing with all referrals from a central point, the PCT plans to reduce waiting times for further care, ensuring that patients get the right care in a timely manner.

The PCT also intends to work more closely with social services, voluntary sectors, and carers.

For more information (including the consultation document, a summary and list of frequently asked questions), please visit suttonand merton.nhs.uk or contact us by email modernisingolderpeoplesservices@smpct.nhs.uk, or phone 020 8251 0467.

Alternatively, write to: Modernising Older People's Services, 1st Floor Falkland Wing, Nelson Hospital, Kingston Road, Raynes Park, London SW20 8DB.

We welcome your views and all feedback for the consultation needs to be received by 12 noon on Tuesday, May 29.

CAROLINE TAYLOR Chief Executive Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust