The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has reviewed how well different health and care services work together to support the needs of older people in England. 

In its report, Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers, CQC warns that despite a widespread commitment for integration across the sectors, substantial progress is needed to better support people who use a number of services, reduce hospital admissions and avoid confusion about where to go for help. The report concludes that with a growing elderly population, now is the time to act.

They carried out site visits in eight areas and gathered evidence from a range of sources, and spoke with older people and their carers to understand how their experiences of care related to services working together.

The report highlights many instances of good practice where those providing and commissioning health and social care share information and co-ordinate services for older people. The report sets out the barriers to delivering joined up care. It concludes with five key recommendations for health and social care leaders.

The full report is available on the CQC website - http://www.cqc.org.uk/buildingbridges