There is a consultation taking place in Scotland on proposals regarding Adult Health and Social Care and integrating those services a bit better than they are just now. A new Act of the Westminster Parliament affecting these services was passed at the end of March 2012 and the Scottish Parliament is now proposing a Scottish version. Will it be as controversial as the English one?
According to the blurb from the official consultation document: “when we refer to ‘integrated health and social care’, we mean services that are planned
and delivered seamlessly from the perspective of the patient, service user or carer, and
systems for managing those services that actively support such seamlessness.”
and delivered seamlessly from the perspective of the patient, service user or carer, and
systems for managing those services that actively support such seamlessness.”
In other words, its about linking adult health with social care, the health service provided by health boards with the social work service provided by local authorities. Its about money, potentially merging the two services at certain levels and, its about older people, e.g. anyone over 50 years of age. It’s also about “care in the community” for older people. You can read more about it by using this link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/care/IntegrationAdultHealthSocialCare
Meantime, East Lothian Health Network has arranged a meeting to discuss these proposals. This meeting will take place in Haddington on Thursday 28th June between 3.30 pm and 5.00 pm. Representatives from the Scottish Executivewill give a brief presentation on the proposals which will be followed by a short presentation by representatives of East & Midlothian Community Health Partnerships management team.This is an opportunity to find out a bit more about the proposals in order, ask questions relevant to health and social care service users and carers and equip people to respond to the consultation questions. You don’t need to be a member of East Lothian Health Network, to come along it’s open to everyone. In fact, you don’t need to live in East Lothian to attend, anyone is welcome especially if you can’t get to the “official” ones.
Bookings can be made online at link below: http://eastlothianhealthnetworkhealthandsocialcare.eventbrite.co.uk
Related articles
- Consultation on the integration of health and social care in Scotland (agescotland.wordpress.com)
- We must not miss the chance to reform social care (guardian.co.uk)
