The importance of community and preventive child health services is generally recognized, but the questions raised about the delivery of these services are jeopardizing their development. The sequelae to the Court report have clouded the future for clinical medical officers; there are arguments about the relationship between general practitioners and the community services, whose management in turn may be reduced by NHS restructuring; while the debate about computer systems has caused further acrimony. However, an analysis of basic objectives and methods shows no valid ground for conflict, and instead all that is needed is agreement on how to implement the most efficient pattern of prevention for the benefit of all children.