He will also lead on work to implement the Prevention Package for Older People and the key findings from Partnerships for Older People Pilots.

He is currently Consultant Physician and Clinical Director at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and is an experienced advisor on Government policy for older people.

Care Services Minister Phil Hope said:

"Professor Oliver is a leader in older people’s health care and knows how public services work. His influence will be critical in enabling us to ensure that all older people get the services that they need as individuals."

Professor Oliver said:

"I am delighted to take up this role. Our ageing population is a success story, but as many older people need to access health and social care, getting their care right is key to improving the whole system. This is an exciting opportunity to ensure that the health, wellbeing and independence of older people is at the heart of our work.

"I look forward to meeting as many stakeholders as possible in my first few months."

Professor Oliver will work closely with the new National Clinical Director for Dementia, Alistair Burns, also announced today, to ensure strong leadership in shaping the future of services for an ageing population.