Official targets and reform programmes could put improvements in NHS services at risk, the health watchdog has warned.

A report by the Commission for Health Improvement brought some good news on Friday for a government still recovering from the bruising battle over foundation hospitals.

It found the NHS is getting better but warned that Whitehall targets for tackling waiting lists are putting progress at risk.

Forum Response: Help the Aged

Jonathan Ellis, health and social care policy manager for Help the Aged, told ePolitix.com: "Improving the quality and availability of health care is crucial for older people who make up the largest group of users of NHS services.

"Extra investment, after decades of neglect, coupled with the National Service Framework for Older People, which sets national standards and service models for older peoples' care, is just beginning to make headway in improving services, but there is still a very long way to go.

"Help the Aged hopes that the momentum behind improving care for older people can be maintained as we enter yet another round of NHS reform.

"The NHS and local authorities, working in partnership, need to concentrate their efforts on maintaining and improving older people's quality of life, not just on hospital beds and targets. If the NHS is to improve, it needs to work more effectively for older people."