Working Together for Better Community Care

This book examines in detail six community care projects which use imaginative and innovative approaches to the planning, management and delivery of care services. The authors highlight how effective working together between providor and purchaser organizations, between health, housing and social care agencies, and between professionals and users/carers is fundamental to good quality services. The key concepts at the heart of community care such as user empowerment, equal opportuinities and quality of care are examined in each project. The projects include: black groups' involvement in the community care planning process; care management in primary health care settings; user-controlled self-determination of need in care management; community-based day care in both generalist and specialist day centres; and user involvement in mental health services. The conclusions offer practical lessons and should be useful to all those involved in the implementation of the community care reforms in the public, voluntary and private sectors.