Public Money and Management, 25(4), August 2005, pp.245-251.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
Relationships between the NHS and social care services over the past 25 years have a poor history. This article examines the strategies that have been used by central government and by local NHS and social care organizations to overcome difficulties of service co-ordination in relation to services for older people and disabled adults. The article is written from the perspective of the NHS. The authors conclude that policies reflecting 'networked' modes of governance may stand the best chance of success, although evidence of improved impact and outcomes still remains scarce.
Relationships between the NHS and social care services over the past 25 years have a poor history. This article examines the strategies that have been used by central government and by local NHS and social care organizations to overcome difficulties of service co-ordination in relation to services for older people and disabled adults. The article is written from the perspective of the NHS. The authors conclude that policies reflecting 'networked' modes of governance may stand the best chance of success, although evidence of improved impact and outcomes still remains scarce.
Subject terms:
interagency cooperation, joint working, NHS, older people, physical disabilities, social services, social care, social care provision, central government;
Journal of Interprofessional Care, 16(1), February 2002, pp.7-17.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Partnership working is now a central plank of public policy in the UK, especially in the field of health and social care. However, much of the policy thrust has been at the level of interorganisational working rather than at the level of interprofessional partnerships. The empirical and theoretical literature is largely sceptical about the feasibility of effective joint working between separate but related professionals--the 'pessimistic tradition'. Based upon an empirical study of general practitioners, community nurses and social workers in northern England, this article challenges such a tradition and proposes an 'optimistic hypothesis' for further investigation.
Partnership working is now a central plank of public policy in the UK, especially in the field of health and social care. However, much of the policy thrust has been at the level of interorganisational working rather than at the level of interprofessional partnerships. The empirical and theoretical literature is largely sceptical about the feasibility of effective joint working between separate but related professionals--the 'pessimistic tradition'. Based upon an empirical study of general practitioners, community nurses and social workers in northern England, this article challenges such a tradition and proposes an 'optimistic hypothesis' for further investigation.
Subject terms:
interagency cooperation, joint working, interprofessional relations, nurses, multidisciplinary services, occupational therapists, older people, organisational structure, organisations, policy, primary care, social welfare, social work, social care, social care provision, social workers, teamwork, assessment, attitudes, care management, community health care, community nurses, decision making, general practitioners, health care;