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Care coordination

Care coordination is the process of helping a person with a mental illness to access a range of different services in a way that helps them get better, and works towards their recovery. It involves interactions between different clinicians and health care providers, the individual, their care coordinator, family members and other significant persons.

Care coordination is one of the most effective programs offered at the Spartanburg Area Mental Health. An emerging concept in healthcare, care coordination is how we assist our clients in identifying and accessing the range of available services and support they need to stabilize and improve their health and their lives.

The goal of care coordination is to improve the health and functioning of people with mental health problems. It is especially helpful for mental health consumers who have complex mental and physical health care needs, living in long-term care settings. These individuals are particularly at risk of ‘falling through the cracks’ because they are involved with multiple agencies and individuals who are helping to address their care needs.

Care coordination may include working with multidisciplinary teams, psychosocial support providers and self-management, in addition to clinical treatment.

A Care Coordinator is a person who has the responsibility of coordinating, facilitating and integrating mental health treatment, care and support, which is tailored to meet the specific needs of individual consumers. The Care Coordinator may work from within the specialist Mental Health Service or from a Community Managed Organization or primary health care service.

Key Principles of Good Care Coordination

Carers providing good care coordination should demonstrate the following qualities:

  • be recovery focused 

  • be person centred 

  • respect the individual’s values 

  • build therapeutic relationships which will help to address the individual’s holistic needs 

  • work in partnership with all care stakeholders 

  • provide proactive family and carer involvement 

  • be socially inclusive 

  • possess an evidence based coordinated service delivery 

  • have a sense of ownership and accountability for all those involved in the individual’s care.