The secretary of state for health unveiled his vision today for a new NHS that involves more joint working and collaboration with their social work colleagues.
As an example Andy Burnham spoke of the NHS being involved in enhanced reablement services, which he said councils might normally spend money on.
The document he launched: NHS 2010 to 2015: from good to great. Preventative, people-centred, productive looks good and has an optimistic feel about it for the whole of the NHS.
But is this vision of health and social services working collaboratively together really that new? And what does it actually mean?
As an example Andy Burnham spoke of the NHS being involved in enhanced reablement services, which he said councils might normally spend money on.
The document he launched: NHS 2010 to 2015: from good to great. Preventative, people-centred, productive looks good and has an optimistic feel about it for the whole of the NHS.
But is this vision of health and social services working collaboratively together really that new? And what does it actually mean?
The truth is it's not a new concept, though it's quite possibly a cost-saving measure if done right.It is a concept many have been banging on about for a long time as there is sense in this.
Local authorities and primary care trusts have been talking about and looking into the issue for some time and pooled funding is already in operation across England, though pooled budgets raise accountability issues. It all depends on the local circumstances and the willingness of local authorities and local primary care trusts to work together.
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services is also carrying out work into the practical implications of more collaborative working. And the Department of Health has run integrated care pilots.
So to answer the second question, what this actually means is not really possible to say beyond this being a government keen to remind chief executives that this is the desired outcome.
Local authorities and primary care trusts have been talking about and looking into the issue for some time and pooled funding is already in operation across England, though pooled budgets raise accountability issues. It all depends on the local circumstances and the willingness of local authorities and local primary care trusts to work together.
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services is also carrying out work into the practical implications of more collaborative working. And the Department of Health has run integrated care pilots.
So to answer the second question, what this actually means is not really possible to say beyond this being a government keen to remind chief executives that this is the desired outcome.
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