Primary care is in a great state of flux. The goal of the government’s policy is to have district nurses play a key part in supplying care to people’s homes once again, as well as to achieve an integrated approach to health care, living and welfare. The district nurse should become a link again between primary care professionals, and they should contribute to higher quality, better coordination and greater continuity of care. NIVEL research on ‘neighbourhood care’ is connected to this aim and in the coming years NIVEL research will focus on the position of district nurses and other home care staff.