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The integration of health and social care roles can be achieved through the creation of new 'health care practitioners' argues a new report, by the Institute for Public Policy Research, writes David Craik.

Combining elements of nursing, occupational therapy, social work and home support the new profession would primarily focus on providing services for older people who do not need to be in hospital, according to the report, 'The Future Health Worker'.

It said health care practitioners would be expected to take a “comprehensive health and social care history” of each patient, would “develop/implement care plans; carry out physical examination/diagnosis and co-ordinate services across health and social care settings”. New health practitioner assistants would, as part of their role, “take blood samples/ECGs and liaise with other agencies to co-ordinate services like shopping or providing meals”.

Barbara Vaughan, a contributor to the report, said the new practitioners would be expected to carry out social work activity. “We would be looking at incorporating long term care packages helping people sustain independence when their health problems are settling down.”

The report recommended that the Council for the Regulation of Healthcare Professionals should be empowered to manage a framework of regulation that can accommodate these new practitioners.

The integration of health and social care has failed in the past because of poor co-ordination “particularly in relation to older people’s services”. Factors include the problems of “aligning boundaries and budgets for service users”, and “persistent prejudices and stereotyping about different professional cultures”.

The report acknowledged that in order for their suggestions to work major changes in the way the future “health and social care workforce is trained”, and “disparities in the pay levels of the health and social care sectors” will have to be tackled.

David Behan, president of the Association of Directors of Social Services, said: "The challenge for the future lies in designing services for people who need support and care. A central issue is the need to think creatively about the development of a workforce and new roles which will help us deliver joined-up services.

"However, it is essential that there is a multi-disciplinary approach which recognises each profession's contribution to the provision of care."