title: Champion start.
abstract: A new role for older people's champions was first described in the National Service Framework for Older People (NSF) ( Department of Health 2001 ). Older people's champions have a crucial role to play in helping to implement the NSF, particularly in rooting out age discrimination. There is much interest in how the roles and responsibilities are being developed in different areas.
authors.affiliation: St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barnes