Best Councils

Buckinhamshire Harrow Kingston upon Thames Bexley Richmond upon Thames Havering Westminster Windsor & Maidenhead Cornwall Surrey

The government is aiming to reduce the number of elderly people admitted to hospital by providing "high quality pre-admission and rehabilitation care".

High rates suggest that hospitals are either discharging older patients too early or social services are failing to give them the help they need.

Some 29 councils in England are to be investigated urgently to see why so many elderly patients are being admitted to residential and nursing care.

A further 33 will face questioning over their high rates of emergency hospital admissions.

Worst councils

Trafford Salford Telford & the Wrekin Sheffield Blackburn with Darwen Oldham Islington Coventry East Riding of Yorkshire Blackpool

Some of those with the worst records are councils in Trafford, Salford, Sheffield and Oldham.

Health Minister John Hutton said more elderly people could remain at home if they received the right help.

"Many need more help to enable them to live at home. Many of us want to stay at home when we get old."

A spokeswoman for the charity Help the Aged said it was vital help was given to elderly people.

"Most older people who talk to us would prefer to stay at home with support. No matter how marvellous a residential home is, it is not your own place.

"It is obviously vital that assistance is given. However, the quality of social services is variable and in some cases it is very poor."

She said being forced to move into residential homes could have a serious impact on elderly people.

"It doesn't make you feel like your worth very much. It is a loss of independence and for some people it is seen as one step nearer the grave."

She added that new standards to be introduced by the government next year should improve the situation.

"This will set standards for all agencies that provide local care, including local authorities.

"It should improve standards across the country. Positive things are happening."