In the last 5 years, funding for the NHS has risen by 7.2% compared to only 2.7% for social care. Over the next 3 years, the NHS will receive real year-on-year increases of 4% compared with only 1% for social care. While there is a great deal of rhetoric around joint working, individual assessments have naturally focused local authorities and PCTs to meeting separate internal targets. While prevention and intervention are high on the policy agenda, funds are directed primarily at acute care. Will a new joined-up regulator create truly joined-up working and provide authorities the backing they need to redirect funds from acute care to prevention and intervention?

From 01 April 2009, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will be the new independent regulator of health, mental health and adult social care in England. The CQC aims to champion joined-up care across services, centred on the individual. The objective is to improve the experience for people who move between health and social care, and ensure that services are universally safe, high-quality and personal. They have explicitly elevated prevention and intervention as key objectives.