Developing a primary care nurse role or care co-ordinator role can not only help manage the increasing demands for health care, but it is also an essential step to help reduce dependency on the hospital sector and increase care co-ordination and integration. The introduction of new roles for nurses or other allied health professionals will require an enabling legislative and regulatory framew ork, and often needs to overcome opposition from medical professionals. Care managers carry primary responsibility for ensuring the coordination of care for elderly individuals with complex needs, and are a first point of contact for such patients and their families.