In the previous chapter, we argued the case for valuing kinship, positive connections and kindness as key determinants of the health and wellbeing of societies. The more people have in common, the more equal they are, the more links between them, and the more they invest in each other, the healthier the society, in physical, mental and social terms. We suggested that politicians and other leaders have a responsibility to articulate and champion emotional, social and financial investment in strengthening kinship, and to challenge individualistic preoccupations and ambivalence about the ‘common good’. We would argue that to take on this challenge is the political expression of intelligent kindness.

There is a similar case to be made for bringing such intelligent kindness into its proper place in the practice and organisation of health and social care. Here we must engage with a pervasive and problematic split.