The top councils in Britain may take charge of hospital care for the elderly.

The plans were raised with Nick Raynsford, the local government minister, at a meeting of the country's top 22 councils on Monday.

Forum Response: Counsel and Care

Martin Green, chief executive of Counsel and Care, told ePolitix.com: "I don't believe that councils would deliver good quality care for the elderly. By and large they have failed to provide community care."

Forum Response: Help the Aged

Jonathan Ellis, policy manager (health and social care) at Help the Aged, told ePolitix.com: "For far too long, older people have been passed from pillar to post when it comes to getting the care and support that they need. Help the Aged welcomes any steps that can help to break down the barriers between services, and provide care that is responsive to older people's needs, rather than those of the organisations concerned.

"Maintaining health and independence is about much more than admission or discharge from hospital. Creating a level playing field between the NHS and local councils can do much to ensure that older people receive the right care in the right place at the right time. Local councils are on the front line when it comes to understanding and identifying older people's needs.

"However, the proposals to give local councils control over health care for older people must not be used as an excuse for denying older people access to the full range of health care services, including hospital care, or for passing responsibility to local councils.

"Much has been achieved in recent years to create partnerships between the NHS and councils, mostly around the care of older people, yet social care support for older people remains drastically underfunded. Help the Aged hopes that this is not a way for the NHS to 'wash its hands' of the care of older people."