Blog - The Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association

Integrated System or Better Coordinated System: Is There a Difference?

Written by Brittany George | Jun 21, 2018 12:00:15 AM

The 2018 International Mental Health Conference is almost upon us again, this year the conference will be held over the 8th – 10th August at the RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

This annual conference is now in its 19th year and continues to be the pinnacle event in the mental health industry. The Conference provides an invaluable opportunity to build relationships and to share knowledge, research and latest policies.

Mr Bill Miliotis, Director at Realise Your Vision joins us at the conference to discuss 'Integrated System or Better Coordinated System: Is There a Difference?'

Abstract

‘Integrated system’ or ‘better coordinated system’:
Is there a difference?

The mental health service system has often been described as fragmented, broken and complex to navigate. Further, studies describe developing an integrated system and/or a better coordinated system; yet people with a mental illness still fall through the cracks, not getting their needs met.

What has been the prevailing view of our ‘system’? What can we learn from integrated and coordinated service systems?

Both integrated care and care coordination look at:
• Making it easier for people to navigate their local health, social and welfare systems
• Ensure more responsive services that meet the needs and priorities of people and communities
• Care and support is built around the needs of the individual, their carers and family
• Better social, health, welfare and wellbeing outcomes

Similarities in processes, outcomes and roles abound; in fact, these two terms are often used inter-changeably.

Internationally, many mental health, disability and health services have implemented integrated care and/or care coordination…. with ‘pockets’ of success.

Why have we not cracked this yet? The answer is not necessarily that people have complex needs, it’s about the systems.

We seek to avoid crises in people’s lives, which too often result in hospital admissions.

If an integrated system, or better coordinated system is considered the solution, what are the barriers and challenges, and ways forward to delivering a better healthcare and social system for people with a mental illness?

Learning Objective 1:
Gain an overview of the concepts of integrated system and coordinated care, their relationship to recovery, and clarity of who holds responsibility.

Learning Objective 2:
Gain an overview of the principles for an integrated, better coordinated health, social and welfare system.

Learning Objective 2:
Start with the consumer outcome and build the system backwards from there.

Biography

Bill Miliotis has worked in a variety of executive positions across mental health and disability services sector, both in government, in NGOs and more recently as a consultant. Bill holds a Master of Health Service Administration and a Bachelor of Social Work degree and utilises his prior roles as Manager of Partners in Recovery at Central Adelaide and Hills, Executive Manager Barkuma Inc, and Manager of South Australia’s first Community Rehabilitation Centre. Bill is dedicated to fast tracking system architecture re-design and implementing high impact change strategies that advance policy, practice and processes.

For further information on the 19th International Mental Health Conference and to secure your spot please visit anzmh.asn.au/conference