Health and social care integration

A political drive to fully integrate health and social care services is implemented. Social care funding is clarified at the political level and it becomes more actively involved in the acute pathway to provide more joined up care to people. The efficiency of rehabilitation and preventative activity in the community reduces readmissions into acute wards.

Proposed workforce impact

• More social care roles in acute settings, such as social workers, potentially reduce future acute readmissions.
• There is reduced demand for acute medical care.

Sources or references

• www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/198748/DEFINITIVE_FINAL_VERSION_Integrated_Care_and_Support_-_Our_Shared_Commitment_2013-05-13.pdf
• www.kingsfund.org.uk/projects/gp-commissioning/ten-priorities-for-commissioners/care-coordination
• http://fullfact.org/factchecks/integration_nhs_future_health_and_social_care-29020

Additional research questions

• How will people’s perception about health and social care (and what is charged for) change with a political agreement on integrated health and social care?

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.