ABSTRACT
The New Labour government which came to power in 1997 was determined to address the failure of public agencies to work together and espoused a political philosophy based more on collaboration than on competition. Frank Dobson (the then Secretary of State) famously stated his intent to break down the 'Berlin Wall' between the NHS and social services. This determination was crucially within the wider policy agenda of social inclusion that places health and social care as supporting partners in a wider mission. Thus, the Public Health Green Paper (DoH, 1998a) outlined the role of the NHS not just in terms of 'curing' and treating the ill, but rather as part of a network of public functions concerned with promoting a full and healthy lifestyle - alongside local government, employment agencies and others.
