Health-care and social-care boundaries

The events following the implementation of the community care reforms in April 1993 are described in this paper. The author explores issues relating to health- and social-care decisions that have emerged and offers advice to community nurses on good practice initiatives that focus on patients and their carers. This article is based on a paper presented at the 1993 Primary Healthcare Conference. Health- and social-care boundary issues remain contentious and high on the agenda of all community nurses. While some advances have been made in recent months there is still room for action by all the key agencies involved.