Bupa UK has emphasised the importance of patient centred care and the need to develop services meeting the needs of older people.
Speaking at the NHS Confederation Annual Conference in Liverpool, Bupa UK's managing director Richard Bowden welcomed the cross party acceptance that we need to meet the entire needs of a person.
However, he stressed that current services are too fragmented - something Bupa is keen to address.
Bowden said: "Closer integration of health and social care presents an opportunity to create and design services around the patient, rather than expecting patients to fit into the system.
"By providing people with more support and care options in the community and at home, unnecessary hospital admissions can be avoided."
Bupa UK is developing a number of new services to ensure it provides more patient centred care at every stage and by giving people a greater choice of where they receive this care.
This includes an aged care helpline to offer free information and advice for anyone seeking help with care fees or support.
Bupa is also developing a new care model where the care home will act as a hub at the centre of the community bringing local health and care services for older people closer together.
Designed to provide more personalised, joined up care, the hub aims to connect the care home to local GPs, hospitals, home nursing, physiotherapy and dental services.
Bupa said with population predictions set to rise dramatically over the next 25-30 years, it is increasingly important that the UK has an efficient and joined up approach to delivering health and social care.
Bowden concluded: "The challenge for providers and commissioners is to work with older people to understand their needs and make these services work better to meet those needs.
"Following the patient and customer is the right journey for success. It is our duty to provide the best, most person-centred care we can, and that drives everything we do at Bupa."
