Health policy emphasises the role of primary and community-based services in achieving strategic change throughout the NHS. However despite lead roles assigned to social service departments and residential and nursing home care services difficulties remain in achieving closer working relationships. This book is a concise guide to the new initiatives in this area including models and practical examples. It covers the recent developments encouraging partnerships between health and social care services and is essential reading for all those involved in primary care and the social services especially those with an interest in the care of older people. The National Primary Care Research and Development Centre series provides policy makers commissioners managers primary care professionals and user organisations with up-to-date multi-disciplinary research on important issues that inform future decision-making for primary care development.