Integrated care is an approach to healthcare that seeks to address the issue of fragmented care. By bringing together different organisations and healthcare professionals to provide a coordinated and holistic approach to care, integrated care ensures that an individual’s needs and preferences are always at the forefront.
Today’s complex healthcare landscape often sees individuals receiving care from multiple providers, making it difficult for them to navigate their care journey. Integrated care puts the individual at the centre of their care plan, with all professionals involved in their care working together to provide the very best support for that person.
Here you can learn more about what integrated care is, why it is important, and how it works in practice.
What is an Integrated Care Organisation?
An integrated care organisation is made up of different professionals from various sectors who work together to provide coordinated care for an individual. These organisations include professionals from any professional body involved in a person’s integrated care plan and can include:
- NHS
- Private health providers
- Social workers
- Physiotherapists
- Carers from a private home care provider, such as Prestige Nursing & Care
- Local charities, such as Age UK
- Community mental health team
The goal of these organisations is to ensure that all of the individual’s needs are met and that their care is delivered in a coordinated way. By working together and keeping in close contact, professionals can identify any issues early on and work to resolve them, preventing any potential problems from arising.
Why Are Integrated Care Systems Important?
Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) are important for two key reasons. Firstly, they enable different healthcare teams to work together more closely, ensuring that all professionals involved in an individual’s care are aware of their needs and working towards the same outcomes.
This is particularly important for someone with complex care needs who may require input from several different healthcare specialists. In the past, individuals with complex care needs often found it frustrating to repeat themselves to different healthcare professionals and would prefer their ongoing needs to be understood from the outset.
Secondly, ICSs are designed to provide individuals with care that caters for all of their needs from a single plan, rather than multiple care plans. When any decisions are made, the multi-disciplinary team – including the individual where possible – meets to decide on the next steps.
For example, if someone is being discharged from the hospital after a serious injury, the team will meet to decide on a discharge plan that incorporates their medical care, health care, social needs, and mental well-being. This joined up approach ensures that the individual receives specialist care that is suitable for all of their requirements and that everyone involved in their care has agreed upon it.
ICSs showcase how a variety of different professionals can work together, with the individual in question at the centre, to create a comprehensive care plan that is tailored to meet their needs. By putting the individual’s needs first and ensuring that all healthcare professionals are working together, ICSs can improve health outcomes and prevent potential problems from arising.
Home Care Services from Prestige Nursing & Care
Integrated care is an approach to healthcare that places the individual at the centre of their care plan, with different healthcare professionals working seamlessly together to achieve the same outcomes. The aim is to provide person-centred support that is joined up in its approach, so that the individual feels valued and listened to, and that all of their needs – physical, mental, and emotional – are met.
At Prestige Nursing & Care, we understand the importance of integrated care in providing the best possible care and support for our clients. We work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as social workers, occupational therapists, and community mental health teams, to ensure that all of our client’s needs are met.
Our person-centred approach to care means that we tailor our services to meet the unique needs and preferences of each individual, providing them with the support they need to live comfortably and independently at home.
If you or a loved one requires care and support, contact our friendly team to find out how we can help. Our team of experts will be happy to discuss your needs and provide you with the best possible advice and support.
