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Editorial

Editorial Peter Thistlethwaite EDITOR This journal is a natural supporter both of integrated power shift from local government to new independent care services and of consumer empowerment. It is quite bodies. If care trusts flourish too, it leaves open the evident from the Chancellor’s Comprehensive question of what the future purpose of local Spending Review, and other recent government government might be in these important matters of announcements, that the pursuit of these two social policy. As an aside, Mike Sheaff’s article in this objectives will be relentless. The Government is actively Issue about the problems of accountability arising in engaged in institutional reform. It is putting in place partnerships is worthy of careful study. bodies which cut across the old NHS and local government roles and is encouraging multi- Children’s Trusts will be welcome if they are to be professional responses in the hope of more creative multi-disciplinary integrated service providers, focusing solutions to individual and community problems. on meeting children’s needs. The main downside of While the evidence underpinning this policy is not Children’s Trusts is that there is now real evidence that conclusive, it is encouraging enough to deserve organisational change severely holds back service enthusiasm at local level. improvements. In addition, social services departments are unlikely to be put fully out of their misery; the Not long ago, local education authorities were immediate prospect is for gradual attrition, with an effectively emasculated in the process of implementing uncertain residual role. local management of schools and the national curriculum, and they have not been given a leading role A pessimist might also believe that local enthusiasm for in subsequent local educational initiatives which are integrated services and consumer empowerment may now independently funded and managed, eg Sure Start not be forthcoming. What are the prospects for an and Connexions. The chief education officers of the enhanced, obligatory Direct Payments scheme in the past had huge influence and prestige, but nowadays the light of the professional obstacles highlighted by service job is not so attractive. user Clare Evans in her article in this Issue, and in the Commentary by Ann MacDonald? Frances Heywood’s This fate is poised to befall directors of social services, article highlights institutionalised obstacles in the way although they have rarely been as loved as CEOs. The of a better approach to helping families adapt their Climbie Inquiry will be used to deliver the final blow, homes to care for disabled members. And the account even though it will not be terminal. Gordon Brown of the development of an integrated service for children amazingly gave us a glimpse of the future with a with disabilities in Devon reinforces a point made promise in the spending review that ‘Children’s Trusts’ repeatedly in this journal: that the skills most needed will be piloted next year – although he seems to have nowadays are to do with painstakingly seeing through spoken out of turn. This has to mean some sort of the implementation of good ideas. 2 MCC: Building knowledge for integrated care Volume 10 • Issue 5 • October 2002 © Pavilion Publishing (Brighton) Ltd http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Integrated Care Emerald Publishing

Editorial

Thistlethwaite, Peter
Journal of Integrated Care , Volume 10 (5): 1 – Oct 1, 2002
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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © Emerald Group Publishing Limited
ISSN
1476-9018
DOI
10.1108/14769018200200040
Publisher site
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Abstract

Peter Thistlethwaite EDITOR This journal is a natural supporter both of integrated power shift from local government to new independent care services and of consumer empowerment. It is quite bodies. If care trusts flourish too, it leaves open the evident from the Chancellor’s Comprehensive question of what the future purpose of local Spending Review, and other recent government government might be in these important matters of announcements, that the pursuit of these two social policy. As an aside, Mike Sheaff’s article in this objectives will be relentless. The Government is actively Issue about the problems of accountability arising in engaged in institutional reform. It is putting in place partnerships is worthy of careful study. bodies which cut across the old NHS and local government roles and is encouraging multi- Children’s Trusts will be welcome if they are to be professional responses in the hope of more creative multi-disciplinary integrated service providers, focusing solutions to individual and community problems. on meeting children’s needs. The main downside of While the evidence underpinning this policy is not Children’s Trusts is that there is now real evidence that conclusive, it is encouraging enough to deserve organisational change severely holds back service enthusiasm at local level. improvements. In addition, social services departments are unlikely to be put fully out of their misery; the Not long ago, local education authorities were immediate prospect is for gradual attrition, with an effectively emasculated in the process of implementing uncertain residual role. local management of schools and the national curriculum, and they have not been given a leading role A pessimist might also believe that local enthusiasm for in subsequent local educational initiatives which are integrated services and consumer empowerment may now independently funded and managed, eg Sure Start not be forthcoming. What are the prospects for an and Connexions. The chief education officers of the enhanced, obligatory Direct Payments scheme in the past had huge influence and prestige, but nowadays the light of the professional obstacles highlighted by service job is not so attractive. user Clare Evans in her article in this Issue, and in the Commentary by Ann MacDonald? Frances Heywood’s This fate is poised to befall directors of social services, article highlights institutionalised obstacles in the way although they have rarely been as loved as CEOs. The of a better approach to helping families adapt their Climbie Inquiry will be used to deliver the final blow, homes to care for disabled members. And the account even though it will not be terminal. Gordon Brown of the development of an integrated service for children amazingly gave us a glimpse of the future with a with disabilities in Devon reinforces a point made promise in the spending review that ‘Children’s Trusts’ repeatedly in this journal: that the skills most needed will be piloted next year – although he seems to have nowadays are to do with painstakingly seeing through spoken out of turn. This has to mean some sort of the implementation of good ideas. 2 MCC: Building knowledge for integrated care Volume 10 • Issue 5 • October 2002 © Pavilion Publishing (Brighton) Ltd

Journal

Journal of Integrated Care – Emerald Publishing

Published: Oct 1, 2002

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