A cynic might regard the plethora of reports on community care as a study in how to create the impression of activity while doing nothing. Demands or suggestions for action are easily deflected by holding up the spectre of a forthcoming inquiry – for example the Griffiths' report on community care. Only six months after its launch, one could be excused for thinking that Sir Roy's report never happened. But it would be short-sighted to view Griffiths as a non-event. It embodies a workable framework for implementing community care, emphasises the importance of individual choice and demonstrates the foolishness of relying on those above to wave magic wands and produce instant national solutions. Community care is about localising services and must evolve locally.