Service Coordination

Service Coordination is one of the key activities for the PCP alliance.  Service Coordination describes how local systems and infrastructure, such as information management, needs identification and referral will enable services to be better coordinated so that outcomes are improved for people accessing services. The original policy document for Service Coordination, Better Access to Services: A Policy and Operational Framework, was released in June 2001.  The development of the framework was underpinned by the following fundamental principles: A cental focus on consumers Partnership and collaboration The Social Model of Health A duty of care Protection of consumer information Engagement of other sectors

Service Co-ordination provides the following benefits for organisations and clients: A system that better co-ordinates services in a catchment - Organisations maintain their functional autonomy but agree on how they will co-ordinate their services (processes, practices, protocols and systems) so that consumers experience a system where services work together. Any consumer using more than one health or community service shouldn’t have to repeat their basic information, undergo duplicative needs identification processes, and should receive timely information about availability of services and receive services in a coordinated way.

A consistent approach to collection and sharing of consumer information – This has  moved the system away from using individual tools and forms to a common set of tool templates for the collection of basic information, a range of profiles which provide screening level information about a range of domains e.g. functional, health conditions, a standard summary and referral form and a consumer consent form. A process that informs further assessment - Initial collection of consumer information and identification of needs logically informs assessment that different services provide and the format of which is designed by programs and/or organisational services. Streamlined referral between and across sectors – Providing a single form, which services can use to refer to the range of community-based services. One form can be used for multiple referrals – reducing the administrative burden associated with getting people the services they need.

An improvement in information management processes - Provides the basis for electronic client records and e-referral by positioning the sector for these developments and getting the sector comfortable with working in an electronic environment and sharing consumer information – with consent. Source: Department Of Human Services Loddon Mallee Region: Primary Care Partnership Strategy - An Information Resource For Health And Community Service Organisations, July 2005.

Last Modified : 8/07/2010 1:40:21 PM