Collaboration between health and social care: coterminosity in the 'New NHS'

Policy-makers and practitioners have seen coterminosity as a way of enhancing collaboration between health and social care agencies. Its role in promoting such collaboration has varied over time; Labour's reforms suggest a different role for coterminosity in inter-agency collaboration. For example, Social Services' representation on Primary Care Groups highlights the localised nature of collaboration. This article defines coterminosity, reviews recent policy changes towards it, and interprets the role that it might play in the future. The article concludes that coterminosity offers an important contribution, especially at local levels, but is insufficient in resolving all inter-agency issues.