Richard Humphries, who is director of social services in Herefordshire and chief executive of the health authority, has been given the job of driving the government's care trust programme.
Humphries will also ensure the national service framework for older people is implemented, health minister Jacqui Smith announced.
Humphries, who is director of health, housing and social care for Herefordshire, will head up a new 'health and social care change agent team' on secondment until April 2003.
The aim of the team is to offer targeted intervention to specific areas with severe delayed discharge problems, as part of the government’s commitment to end widespread ‘bed-blocking’ across Britain by 2004.
Smith said: "Our recent £300 million ‘cash for change’ investment underpinned by the new agreement with the private and voluntary home care sectors, health and housing organisations, is linked to radical reform of the way NHS and social services work together. The health and social care agent team will play a vital role in making this happen.
"Our programme of investment and reform will make a real difference to the quality of care for older people," she added.
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