ABSTRACT
A common aim of small health care businesses is to develop the scope of primary care and provide as many services in or close to patients' homes as possible. The idea of a Primary Care Agency is simply the next step along the continuum beyond total fundholding. The National Health Service (NHS) information management and technology strategy places a premium on secure, confidential person- based information which, through integrated systems, will be shared across the NHS. Health and social care have remained organizationally separated for so long has been one of the greatest obstacles to the integration, and continuity of care for individuals. Postgraduate education and continuous professional development needs to take account of the new stresses and educational needs of all the members of the primary care health teams. The Agency must also be in a position to harness and support the wide-ranging contributions of the voluntary sector.
