Integrating care involves the provision of seamless, effective, and efficient care that reflects the whole of a person's health needs:
- from prevention through to end of life,
- across both physical, psychosocial, and mental health and;
- in partnership with the individual, carers, and family members.
This includes strategies that coordinate and encourage better communication and connectivity between health care providers in primary care, community, and hospital settings, and provide better access to community-based services closer to home.
The NSW health system will face significant challenges in the coming decades as the effects of an ageing population and the growing prevalence of chronic and complex disease puts increased pressures on health care delivery. Integrating care that is patient-centred, primarily provided in the community, and supported by primary care is crucial.
For more information about integrating care, please download the NSW Health Strategic Framework for Integrating Care.