Policy digest: Integration of care

The DH estimates that over the course of the next 20 years, the number of people over the age of 85 will double. As a result of the ageing population, the number of people with 'complex health needs' is expected to rise as well. There are concerns that these services are unable to coordinate care effectively, which has led to calls for greater integration of health and social care. In response to this, the government has launched several initiatives. The most significant is the plan to devolve control of the £6bn NHS budget in Manchester to local authorities. NHS England has said that this move will focus on providing more health and social care services in the community. For example, people with long-term conditions like asthma or heart conditions will be treated by community specialists, and will only be referred to hospitals in severe circumstances. Other initiatives launched by the government include giving £2.7bn to local councils to help them join up NHS and social care services, and providing patients with personal health budgets.