The NHS promotes partnership between Health Care and Social Care and other institutions. Regions can be defined as Health Action Zones for special development of health care infrastructure if necessary. There are Health Technology Assessment Programs. Additional to the traditional criteria of security, efficay and quality, a cost-effectiveness criterion is to be applied systematically to all new technologies. The amount of payment varies widely according to region, since municipalities are responsible for supplementing financial resources and thus lowering costs for users.
Individuals are free to hire their own carers and by-pass the public system.
The NHS provides beds for geriatric services. Attendance allowance is available for the frail or disabled themselves. Invalidity Care Allowance is available only to caregivers of disabled persons. Caregivers have no additional entitlements to social assistance compared to other citizens. There are still long waiting lists for hospital care.