The full
integration of health and social care services across Scotland took a step
forward as the new Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act was given royal
assent.
Alex Neil, Cabinet
Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, said: “The shape of Scottish society
is changing. People are living longer, healthier lives and as the needs of our
society change, so too must the nature and form of our public
services.
"This
landmark legislation is the most substantial reform to Scotland’s NHS and
social care services in a generation. Full integration will result in more
joined-up and seamless health and social care provision that will, without
doubt, improve people’s lives.
“Achieving
royal assent for the Bill is an important step towards achieving this
government’s goal of delivering health and social care services that
ensure people get the right care, in the right place, at the right
time.”
The Scottish
Parliament passed the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Bill on
25th February 2014.
The government
will consult on the regulations and associated guidance relating to the Act
during the spring 2014. Health boards and local authorities will be required to
put in place their local integrated arrangement by April 2015 with the full
integration of services across Scotland expected by April 2016.
A number of NHS Boards and Local Authorities already have shadow integration
arrangements in place. NHS Highland and the Highland Council implemented a
fully integrated model of health and social care in 2012.
Under these
arrangements, NHS Highland took on responsibility for adult health and social
care while the Highland Council now has responsibility for children's
health and social care utilising a ‘lead agency’ model.
Chair of NHS
Highland, Garry Coutts, said "In the Highland area there were too many
examples where we felt that staff were coming across barriers that prevented
them from doing the very best for their clients. These barriers included the
fact there was two separate budgets, two sets of managers and two systems of
governance that made it difficult for them to focus on the best interest of
service users.
“With
integration we have started to break down these barriers. There is now a single
budget, simpler management arrangements and only one set of governors in
charge. We have liberated staff to do the right things for their patients and
clients and all of the staff involved who I’ve spoken to have said this
would not have happened without integration. It’s still early days but
changes are already happening and the potential for improvement
significant.”
In Fife, patients are benefitting from shadow health and social care integrated
arrangements that have been in place since April 2013. Hear their stories
online in a series of videos.