Hospitals to face penalties if patients 'readmitted in 30 days'

New plans unveiled by the government today could see hospitals fined if patients are readmitted as an emergency within 30 days of being discharged.

New health secretary Andrew Lansley outlined the proposals today, along with a number of other measures in his first major speech in the role.

Announcing the proposals Mr Lansley said he would be "making patients the driving force of improvements to the NHS".

The health secretary said that making hospitals responsible for a patient's ongoing care after discharge would create more joined-up working between hospitals and community services.

Speaking at an event at the Bromley by Bow Centre in London, hosted by the Patients Association and National Voices, Mr Lansley said: "My ambition is for health outcomes and health services to be as good as any in the world.

"We need a cultural shift in the NHS. From a culture responsive mainly to orders from the top-down, to one responsive to patients, in which patient safety is put first. This can only be achieved if patients are put in the driving seat and are informed and engaged in the delivery of their care. That way the NHS will be focussed on what matters to patients – safe, reliable, effective care for each patient, and the best outcomes for all patients."

Katherine Murphy, director of the Patients Association added: "We welcome a much greater emphasis on the patient experience and a focus on patient needs and helping patients play a bigger role in shaping their health service."