They are local solutions that are aimed at improving the inequalities of socio-economic status that contribute to poor health. Traditionally, the doctor has imposed his or her own personal understanding of the Hippocratic view on society. Integrated care is a different approach, improving the health of an individual patient only in the context of improving societal health. Neither approach is ethically superior, but each will arrive at a different set of trade-offs. The acceptability of those trade-offs depends on which version of social justice is preferred and to what or to whom we owe moral obligations in the provision of health care.
Integrated care means different things to different people.
The complexity of the integrated care organisation therefore depends on the scope of the health risk covered. The logical extension of integrated care is the Health Action Zones concept in the United Kingdom. Health Action Zones involve local authorities, community groups, the voluntary sector and local businesses in their work. Co-ordinated care is about the integration of community care, primary care and hospital services to reduce demand on traditional hospitals and provide health care more effectively in the community. The intention is that the health care for one consumer is managed by one agency.