President, Association of Directors of Social Services
Many congratulations to the NHS on 50 years of progress. The Association of Directors of Social Services (a mere young thing of 25 years!) wishes the NHS well as it faces challenges and embraces opportunities undreamt of 50 years ago.
There are over 150 Directors of Social Services and all of us are working closely with the NHS locally and daily. The difference that a good working relationship between NHS and Social Services can bring to the lives of people who use our services is fantastic and whether we're trying to help people with disability, mental health problems, older people or children and families, it's absolutely vital that we work together creatively and positively.
The wider challenge is for the NHS and all local Government Departments to work together to combat social exclusion and jointly tackle the public health agenda.
ADSS works with the NHS through its Executive and Policy Committees and its regional groupings of Directors.
The celebration plans to mark NHS50 are brilliant - let's continue to work hard to help people with their social and health care needs.
Tony Blair
