Two leading think-tanks have joined the calls for the integration of health and social care budgets in a bid to radically overhaul the current system. A report published today (3 April) by the Commission on the Future of Health and Social Care in England recommends a single, ring-fenced budget for health and social care, with services singly commissioned. The Commission, which was set up by the King's Fund, warned there is currently a lack of alignment in funding between the NHS and local government, with health budgets ring-fenced and council budgets subject to significant cuts. 'The current systems rub up against each other like bones in an open structure,' said commission chair, Kate Barker. Another report by the former health minister, Lord Warner, which was published by the Reform think-tank on 31 March also called for the integration of health and social care budgets under health and wellbeing boards.
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