Integrating primary and community care

A lack of co-ordination between the everyday primary and community services relied on by people using the NHS is leading to sub-standard care, missed opportunities for home or community-based treatments, and undue strain on hospitals that are already overstretched. This report highlights the need for a seamlessly integrated, patient-centric health care sector where patients are given the type of care they need, when, where, and how they need it. The report states that the government should focus more on preventive rather than reactive care to tackle the needs of an ageing population, many of whom are coping with complex health issues requiring intricate and continuous care.