Health service integration: a case study in change management

Abstract

Health service integration seems a logical and desirable strategy to improve both the efficiency and quality of service delivery. Failure of implementation is common but may not be inevitable. This paper reports on a case study involving structured interviews and focus groups within one health service which has attempted to integrate one area of its acute and community health services. Health service integration was regarded very positively by clinicians and administrators in this case study but the change management process utilised in its implementation was not, suggesting a need for greater planning and transparency.