All cancer patients are to be offered free one-to-one care in their homes as part of a Government shake-up of healthcare services.

Gordon Brown's pledge to "personalise" public services is expected to play an important part in Labour's general election manifesto, with 1.6 million people benefiting from visits by specialist nurses under the plans.

The Prime Minister said in a speech to the King's Fund that by 2015, he hopes all people suffering with cancer will be able to receive treatment within the comfort of their own homes.

The plans, part of a wider drive to improve healthcare within communities, would give patients the option of chemotherapy and dialysis without having to travel to a clinic or hospital.

It would also be easier to access palliative care and care for the elderly at home.

In his latest Downing Street podcast, Mr Brown highlighted the Government's vow to guarantee free care for almost 280,000 older and disabled people with critical needs and said it was unfair for people to spend their savings on care.

He said: "It's not fair that so many people already struggling with the loss of independence - who have worked hard all their lives and saved for their retirement - are faced with the prospect of running down their savings or selling their homes to fund their care," he said.

Also, a further 130,000 requiring care for the first time would receive around six weeks' free support.

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