Healthy competition

Almost half the 100 health authorities in England have submitted bids to become the first Health Action Zones, schemes intended to bridge the divide between health and social care.

About 10 will be selected in the first phase, to start in April, which will share pounds 34m in funding over the next two years. The schemes will target areas of deprivation and are intended to link NHS organisations, local authorities, community groups and businesses in projects to help the elderly, children and mentally ill people.

Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor