This publication, developed by multidisciplinary group including the British Geriatrics Society, recommends ways in which emergency admissions can be reduced and the experience of those admitted improved.

More older people than ever before are attending emergency departments and accessing urgent care services. There is a pressing need to address how older people are cared for over the first 24 hours of an urgent care episode. Attending an emergency department is associated with a high risk of admission for older people. Not only are older people admitted to hospital more frequently but they stay in hospital longer than other patient groups.

The Silver Book considers all the clinical contacts which a patient might have during an emergency and suggests minimum standards and responses for each service including: primary care – in and out of hours; ambulance services; emergency departments; urgent care units – including minor injury units and walk-in-centres; acute medical units and community hospitals.

This resource has been developed by a multidisciplinary group of stakeholders including: British Geriatrics Society, Age UK, Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, British Geriatrics Society, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, College of Emergency Medicine, College of Occupational Therapists, Community Hospitals Association, National Ambulance Services Medical Directors, Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Society for Acute Medicine.