The Health Secretary has called for an improvement in care for the elderly, who he believes are being failed by GPs.
Jeremy Hunt told Sky News he wants to bring back named GPs for patients so that they receive a more personal service.
It is also hoped that reintroducing the practice will release the pressure on hospitals, who are struggling due to high demand.
Mr Hunt blamed the GP contract agreed by Labour in 2004 for abolishing the idea of having a specific GP for every patient.
"Evidence from the United States and other countries is that when you have a named GP you are less likely to need hospital care and we need to bring that back, particularly for our vulnerable, older people. We want to do that from next year," he said.
He admitted there would be a need for many more GPs to achieve the change, putting the initial figure at 2,000.
"We are looking actually at whether we need even more than that," he added, and also said more NHS cash would have to be spent outside hospitals.
The Tory minister is due to unveil his full plans to alleviate winter pressures on A&E and how vulnerable older patients can be better supported later today.
The announcement comes as figures revealed only five consultants work in A&E departments overnight across England.
Data obtained by the Daily Mail also found 90% of trusts only have one consultant working in emergency care on weekends.
This will add to concerns about services at NHS hospitals, who are battling a major rise in patient numbers due to the ageing population.
Mr Hunt earlier told the Daily Telegraph that elderly patients needed someone to look out for them "all the time".
He attacked the change over recent years that has seen it become easier for people to go to A&E than to their local doctor.
The Health Secretary also called on GPs to work closely with care homes so that they could "remove the cracks" between them and the NHS.
The article recalls a time when Mr Hunt saw an elderly woman with dementia taken into hospital from a care home.
"Confused and unable to speak after a fall, that A&E department was probably the worst place for her," he said.
He went on to point out that staff did not know her medical history, her allergies and whether her lack of speech was normal or caused by the fall.
He added: "Her experience proved what many of us know in our gut - too many old people feel there's no reliable alternative to hospital."
Clare Gerada, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said it was "untrue" that GPs are neglecting their older patients.
"The Health Secretary's comments will be disheartening and morale-sapping for the thousands of hard-working GPs across the UK who are battling against the odds - with ever-dwindling resources - to provide the best possible care to their older patients," she said.
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