Better Coordination = Better Care

MEDICAL advances have resulted in reductions in premature deaths from major causes like heart attacks, stroke and cancer.

With more people living longer, new challenges have emerged, particularly the increased prevalence of long-term medical conditions such as high blood pressure, breathlessness, and arthritis.

Caring for people with these conditions requires high quality primary care that works hand in hand with specialist care and supports people to manage their own health whenever appropriate.

The changing burden of disease underpins the emphasis now being given to care that is integrated around people and populations.

Integrated care is especially important for the growing number of people with more than one long-term medical condition.

These people are often in contact with various health care professionals who need to work together if they are to provide the best possible care.

Mental health services must work closely with other services to ensure that all needs are addressed.

For older people, social care is as important as health care in enabling people to live independently in their own homes.

Cuts in council spending have resulted in restrictions in the availability of publicly funded social care, making it difficult to provide care and support to people in need.

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