Patients should receive a "seamless service" when they leave hospital, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said on Tuesday, as he announced extra funding for helping people settle at home.

In a move designed to stop patients being re-admitted to hospital soon after treatment, Mr Lansley has pledged £70 million for "re-ablement" packages.

The money will be spent on supporting people in the first six weeks after they leave hospital and could be used for things like adapting homes or providing drop-in services.

It is estimated the cash will support around 35,000 people over the next six months, most of whom are likely to be elderly.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said patients are already receiving help when they leave hospital but it is hoped the new money could lead to even more getting the right support.

The money will be given to Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) for services in both the NHS and social care system.

In June, Mr Lansley announced that hospitals will be fined if patients are re-admitted as an emergency within 30 days of being discharged.

Hospitals in England will be paid for initial treatment but will not be paid again if the patient is brought back with a related problem, according to the policy, which comes into force next April.

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