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The report of the Royal Commission on Long Term Care, published in March 1999, is to be subject to further consultation, thus delaying any progress on its recommendations which include important links to other Government initiatives in health and social care. The paper argues that its proposal for a National Care Commission could be the missing link to equity of care provision and care standards for older people, and early implementation should not be lost.

The NHS Plan incorporates the long‐awaited response of the Government to the report of the Royal Commission on the Costs of Long‐Term Care. This article argues that the risk of cost shunt between funding agencies is perpetuated, and that new forms of care will need to be included within the standards assurance of the newly established National Care Standards Commission.

Although Presented AS evolutionary, the White Paper on the NHS could prove revolutionary in its impact. The ‘third way’ approach to the service, based on partnership and driven by performance, is not without potential problems over structures and boundaries at both local and national levels. The delivery of seamless service is a very positive goal, but it is too early to predict how far it will be achieved.