The Scottish Government introduced the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 which directed Local Authorities and Health Boards to merge health and social care services in the form of a Health and Social Care Partnership.

In Argyll and Bute a decision was taken by Argyll and Bute Council and NHS Highland that the new Partnership will include all health services, including specialist hospital services that we buy from Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board and all Adult, Children & Families Social Work and criminal justice services.  This means services for people of all ages are included.

The Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership has now been established as a separate legal entity and from 1st April 2016 the new Board will formally take over responsibility for health and social care service planning and delivery.

Stephen Whiston, Head of Strategic Planning and Performance for Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, said:

“In July and August Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership widely distributed a leaflet which provided information about the integration of services and also an Outline Strategic Plan which described how the Partnership will address the challenges of our ageing population, increase in chronic diseases like diabetes and difficulties in staff recruitment - all within the context of an extremely challenging financial outlook.

“This means we need to radically transform the way we provide health and social care focussing our new Partnership services on prevention of ill health and anticipatory care as a truly person centred focused service.

“We would like to thank everyone who commented on this Outline Plan as this has greatly assisted us in the development of our 3 year Strategic Plan.

“We are now at the stage of formally consulting with the public and local stakeholders on our final 3 year Strategic Plan and our aim is to carry out this consultation from September through until the end of November.  Electronic copies of our plan will be available from 17th September and can either be downloaded from our integration website or by emailing us at socialcareintegration@argyll-bute.gov.uk  Hard copies will also be available on request.

“As part of the consultation process we will be holding a series of events across Argyll and Bute to give members of the public and stakeholders an opportunity to be fully involved in shaping and delivering services in their localities and to raise any issues that they may have.  Details of these events will be published in the coming weeks.

“At the same time we would be delighted to meet with local groups and organisations throughout Argyll and Bute and if you would like representatives to come along to discuss our plans then please email us at socialcareintegration@argyll-bute.gov.uk 

“We would like to thank the communities across Argyll and Bute for their help in developing our plan so far and look forward to working with you over the coming months as we plan to deliver our joint vision for health and social care which is: Helping the people in Argyll and Bute live longer, healthier, independent lives.”