Professional Turf Battles Vs. Inter-Professional Collaboration: Their Impact on Inequalities in Health and Social Care in the UK

From a neo-Weberian perspective, it is argued that professions have long competed with each other in turf battles to enhance their respective positions in terms of income, status and power from the viewpoint of their professional self-interests. Using illustrations drawn from health and social care in the UK, it is argued that this has come at a substantial cost to both the user and the wider public - and has in particular exacerbated existing social inequalities. This paper outlines the growing trend for inter-professional collaboration in health and social care in the UK. Although there can be downsides to greater inter-professional working in relation to such issues as the complexity of communications and supervision arrangements, there are many positive generic reasons for such engagement – from creating a more satisfying work role for the professionals involved to enhancing the service given to the user. This paper specifically asks questions about the benefits or otherwise of inter-professional working in terms of social inequalities. In so doing, it acknowledges that inter-professional collaboration can take a number of forms. It also again draws on examples from health and social care in the UK to support its general argument that inter-professional collaboration can make a significant impact on social inequalities, not just in the UK but more globally.