The NHS Confederation has claimed that community treatment would be suited to around a quarter of patients.

Mike Farrar - the head of the body - urged the NHS to convince people that new home treatment could be a viable alternative to staying in hospital.

He urged people working in health jobs in the UK to be more focused on providing care in the community, moving patients away from the idea of hospital being the only option.

He cited the £20 billion efficiency targets, which are getting closer to their 2015 endpoint all the time, and said next year would be key in making those savings.

Mr Farrar added: "We have had a lot of talk about changing services but 2012 must be the year we convert talk into action.

"Hospitals play a vital role but we do rely on them for some services which could be provided elsewhere. We should be concentrating on reducing hospital stays where this is right for patients, shifting resources into community services, raising standards of general practice, and promoting early intervention and self-care.

"There is a value-for-money argument for doing this but it is not just about money and the public need to be told that - this is about building an NHS for the future."

Copyright © Press Association 2011

A revamped ratings system for health and social care providers will concentrate on the relationship between staff and clients, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has confirmed.

Officials stopped awarding quality ratings back in June and are holding a consultation on a new system, with proposals expected before the end of the year and a new mechanism expected to be in place by May 2011.

An October 1 deadline was placed on social care providers to register with the CQC and show they meet basic standards of care.

CQC chair Jo Williams said that quality services were defined by day-to-day relationships and added: "The challenge for us is how to differentiate between the different levels of service above that minimum standard.

"We need to concentrate on the things that are important to people: how engaged are they, are they treated with respect, do they have plenty of choice and are they treated as an individual."

Copyright ⌐ Press Association 2010