What is integration?

Integration is a central aspect of the Government's modernisation plans for public services.   It lies behind the introduction of the duty of partnership for the main statutory services.

The White Paper, "Our Health, Our Care, Our Say" recognises that public services must work across organisational boundaries to meet people’s needs. The fundamental purpose of integrated practice must be to improve the quality and effectiveness of service delivery to service users and carers: integration is not an end in itself.  Working together, or integrated working, means that services are organised around the service user or carer who experience them as joined up and seamless.