Traditionally, integrated care has been focused on closing the gaps between social and health care. Nevertheless, integrating mental and physical care should also be seen as a way to develop integrated care. In this report published by the King’s Fund, this topic is addressed, describing the current situation of mental and physical care and identifying ten areas where this kind of integration would be most needed:
Incorporating mental health into public health programmes.
Promoting health among people with severe mental illness.
Improving management of medically unexplained symptoms in primary care.
Strengthening primary care for the physical health needs of people with severe mental illnesses.
Supporting the mental health for people with long-term conditions.
Supporting the mental health and wellbeing for carers.
Supporting mental health in acute hospitals.
Addressing physical health in mental health inpatient facilities.
Providing integrated support for perinatal mental health.
Supporting the mental health needs of people in residential homes.
