Progress with integrating health and care services is not taking place on sufficient scale to meet demand and improve quality for patients, a panel of MPs has reported.

A report by the Commons Health Committee into public expenditure on health and social care released today finds while many of the straightforward savings have already been made, there is no proof of much-needed fundamental change.

‘The situation is not helped by the current fragmented commissioning structures,' said chair of the Health Committee, Stephen Dorrell MP.

‘The committee's view is that, as health and wellbeing boards have been established to allow commissioners to look across the whole local health and care economy, their role should be developed to allow them to become effective commissioners of joined-up health and care services.'

The committee also recommended that the current level of real terms funding for social care should be ring-fenced.

In response, Kent CC leader Cllr Paul Carter, who is care spokesman for the County Councils Network (CCN) told The MJ the group welcomed care minister Norman Lamb's recent assurance that the Government would meet the full cost of implementing the Care Bill.

‘We welcome this commitment, though CCN's ongoing care survey highlights widespread concerns regarding financial shortfalls, alongside specific practical worries like the operational impact of the extension of duties to self-funders and IT readiness.'