Under strain? Exploring the troubled relationship between health and social care

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. 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. © CIPFA, 2005