The government’s hotly anticipated plans for reforming adult social care finally saw the light of day last week. Having launched a call for more integration of health and social care services back in March 2007, we at Intellect, were pleased to see that the burden of an ageing society and rising costs of care are finally getting some proper attention from government.

The green paper sets out plans for a National Care Service that will offer national assessment, joined-up services, information and advice, personalised care and support and fair funding. News that a Cabinet-level ministerial integration group has been set up to help drive this forward will be welcome to everyone that’s campaigned for reform. But good intentions are not enough.

Having the right technology to underpin these changes will determine whether the vision stands or falls. Various technical, commercial and cultural barriers to providing joined-up services will need to be addressed if we’re are to see the creation of a more sustainable health and social care system. That’s why we’ve launched ‘Fitting IT all Together’ which sets out the industry’s view on health and social care, and which calls for more openness and transparency, a roadmap to support joined-up working, and earlier engagement with industry.