While many advances have been made in primary health care, for old people it has lagged behind other areas. The case is made for the adoption of a standard primary-care record for people aged over 70 years to be retained by the patient and attached behind the front door, where it would be available to ambulance crews, deputizing doctors and other community health workers. It would also be of value to the elderly patient when travelling or registering with a new doctor. Such a focus on information would facilitate communication between professional workers and increase productivity.