Labour wants to introduce more than 3,000 "community matrons" in GP surgeries and health centres in order to offer NHS patients "tailor-made" services suited to individual needs.

The £500 million proposal will be included in Labour’s next election manifesto.

The policy would give 17.5 million patients with long term conditions a regular point of contact with someone who can dispense clinical advice, co-ordinate hospital appointments, improve treatment and support carers.

Health secretary John Reid is expected to unveil the policy today at a Labour Party "big conversation" event in London.