The Isle of Wight's health improvement programme already incorporates the local community care plan, as did the three previous fully joint annual island plans for health and social care.

This was recognised in HSJ's Health Management Awards in 1996 (page 16, 21 November). We wholeheartedly commend this way of working and look forward to others following our lead.

Dr Heather Wood

Director of commissioning and primary care

Isle of Wight HA