Integrated Care Pathways: a case for development

1.1 The modernisation agenda for acute in-patient mental health care provision considers the integration of acute in-patient care with other mental health services – and, notably, Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Teams (DoH 2002). Integral to the modernisation process, ‘care pathway arrangements are seen as a formula for ensuring that care experiences are built around the needs of service-users, their families and carers (Hall 2004).’ It is particularly important that a service-user’s journey across services is negotiated, managed and agreed, and incorporates planned and coordinated therapeutic intervention and well-organised care systems.