ABSTRACT
Since the post-war welfare state was established in Britain, the boundaries between health and local authority services have been problematic for health professionals, social workers, managers and service users alike. As each agency has narrowed its focus in response to these pressures, the risk has increased that people with complex health and social care needs fall between the responsibilities of different services and professionals. The separation between NHS and local authority services is particularly problematic for people with mental health problems, disabilities, frail older people and families and children who are at risk or need extra support. Of course significant obstacles to closer partnerships between primary and community health and local authority services still remain.
