The National Service Framework for Older People (NSF–OP), published in March 2001, was delayed and came two years after the Mental Health Framework. It was eagerly awaited by old age psychiatry due to its focus on mental health. The framework includes eight standards, with five addressing broad issues like age discrimination and person-centred care, while the other three focus on mental health, stroke, and falls. A medicines supplement also highlights issues related to polypharmacy. The NSF–OP has several strengths, including promoting person-centred care and integrated commissioning. It introduces a single assessment process to reduce repetitive evaluations. Intermediate care, the only standard with new funding, aims to provide short-term alternatives to hospital care. The framework also outlines clear clinical pathways for stroke and falls, and includes mental health standards with detailed pathways for depression and dementia. However, the framework has faced criticism for lacking new funding for old age psychiatry and for performance targets being too distant. There are also missed opportunities, such as the exclusion of mental health from intermediate care in some areas. The framework also fails to address the need for psychiatric liaison services and has led to confusion regarding the Care Programme Approach (CPA) and single assessment process. The NSF–OP has paradoxically increased ageism in mental health services, with older people often excluded from intermediate care and facing challenges in accessing integrated care. The framework also lacks a dedicated information strategy for older people, which could hinder mental health information management and technology developments. Despite these issues, old age psychiatrists remain a cohesive group with strong links to supportive organizations. The College could add its voice to advocate for joined-up thinking to prevent marginalization. The NSF–OP, while ideologically sound, has not fully addressed the needs of older people with mental health issues.The National Service Framework for Older People (NSF–OP), published in March 2001, was delayed and came two years after the Mental Health Framework. It was eagerly awaited by old age psychiatry due to its focus on mental health. The framework includes eight standards, with five addressing broad issues like age discrimination and person-centred care, while the other three focus on mental health, stroke, and falls. A medicines supplement also highlights issues related to polypharmacy. The NSF–OP has several strengths, including promoting person-centred care and integrated commissioning. It introduces a single assessment process to reduce repetitive evaluations. Intermediate care, the only standard with new funding, aims to provide short-term alternatives to hospital care. The framework also outlines clear clinical pathways for stroke and falls, and includes mental health standards with detailed pathways for depression and dementia. However, the framework has faced criticism for lacking new funding for old age psychiatry and for performance targets being too distant. There are also missed opportunities, such as the exclusion of mental health from intermediate care in some areas. The framework also fails to address the need for psychiatric liaison services and has led to confusion regarding the Care Programme Approach (CPA) and single assessment process. The NSF–OP has paradoxically increased ageism in mental health services, with older people often excluded from intermediate care and facing challenges in accessing integrated care. The framework also lacks a dedicated information strategy for older people, which could hinder mental health information management and technology developments. Despite these issues, old age psychiatrists remain a cohesive group with strong links to supportive organizations. The College could add its voice to advocate for joined-up thinking to prevent marginalization. The NSF–OP, while ideologically sound, has not fully addressed the needs of older people with mental health issues.