Social work in general practice: Dilemmas and solutions

Abstract

Closer working relationships between social workers and general practitioners (GPs) have been encouraged in the UK for a number of years, but the passage of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 has given a greater impetus and focus to these recommendations. This paper considers the potential benefits and pitfalls in the location of social workers within general practice, within the context of community care. The literature on the links between social work and general practice is reviewed, in order to identify the most important factors to consider when establishing a project to locate a social worker within general practice. Drawing on the author's direct involvement with three related projects, the Significance of these factors is discussed, leading to conclusions regarding the most effective way to plan and implement such change.

Key Words:

• Social work
• community care
• primary health care
• interprofessional care
• general practice