The future of integrated primary care: community health centres at the heart of the neighbourhood

One of the weak points of our current primary care system—that is primary health care and community care together—is the lack of an integrated approach. This applies especially to the prevention, treatment and long term care of elderly persons and the chronically ill. Primary care appears like a group of islands with little connection; each island with its own practices, professional characteristics and standards. We perceive family doctors, physiotherapists, pharmacists, dentists, mother and child carers, all kinds of nurses (district nurses, practice nurses, nurse specialists, home nurses, auxiliary community nurses), home care workers, psychologists, social workers, welfare workers, etc.; all doing their best from their own point of view to help the patient. However, most of them are working next to each other instead of working with each other.