ABSTRACT
The concepts of ‘vertical’ and ‘horizontal’ integration help to describe the relationship between the different services and professions that are being connected together around the individual or populations. Horizontal integration denotes simultaneous joint working between different professions and services with an individual at a point in time. In relation to integrated care for children and young people with mental health difficulties this could be used as follows: micro integration; meso integration; and macro integration. Within integrated care, there are examples in which micro infers integration between professionals within a single organisation and meso between professionals working in different organiaations. Breadth of integration describes the diversity of services which are being considered within the integration programme. Depth of integration reflects the intensity of connection being sought and the amount of resources that are being invested in achieving this integration. Within one rural area there were increasing demands on community health and social care services related to an ageing population.
