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The strong support for firms with a social purpose outlined in the health and social care white paper is not being matched in the field, health secretary Patricia Hewitt heard last week.

A gathering of social enterprise leaders told Hewitt that commissioners did not always appreciate the innovation enterprise firms offered.

Emma Wilson, chief executive of West Yorkshire social enterprise Local Care Direct, said one primary care trust negotiating a contract had told her it was after “more of the same” in the form of more GPs. But Wilson had said she wanted to provide a health and social care service in light of the white paper’s focus on integration.

The event, organised by umbrella body the Social Enterprise Coalition, marked the launch of a pamphlet by Hewitt on social enterprises.

● Social Enterprise in Primary and Community Care