Organization of local health services: a case study

Health services in Israel are provided by various organizations. In most areas, curative, preventive and welfare services are under the administration of separate agencies. Even in small towns, health and social services are provided by many agencies. EAch health care agency is responsible for its own service and there is a lack of joint functioning on the administrative and service levels. To illustrate this, a locality of 11,500 people is described in relation to the characteristics of the population, health care services and other agencies, manpower and use of services. A model is suggested for the organization of comprehensive primary health care at the local level, with integrated curative, preventive and social services. Development of neighborhood health centers with comprehensive services may provide more effective and efficient care for the individual and family and may serve as a suitable framework for the development of community health care programs. The importance of surveillance of the health status of the community and the need for a relevant record system is stressed.