The Rough Road and the Smooth Road: Comparing Access to Social Care for Older People via Area Teams and GP Surgeries

Abstract

This article discusses the results of a comparative evaluation of a social worker in primary care with her equivalents in an area team. Direct referral is found to be more efficient than referral to the area team, enabling the attached social worker to manage a higher workload and improved levels of contact with service users and the primary care team. The options available for service users are thus enhanced, with consequent cost advantages for the social services department.