The role of economists in social care

Pressures from an ageing population, increasing complexity of health needs and increasing comorbidity have resulted in a need for local councils to make cuts that are increasingly felt in the social care sector. This has intensified the call for integration of health care and social care to pool costs and outcomes. The impact of the welfare reforms are still coming to fruition and cuts are likely to be felt in both sectors as decisions are made about which health and social care interventions are sustainable in the current system. Here we have a look at why economists are integral to the decision making process that determines what health and social care interventions are work investing in.