Aim to better co-
A way forward to try and get health and social care services work together better has finally been agreed by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and NHS Western Isles.
The two bodies argued over the best model to integrate services -
This could be making sure that care services know what help somebody needs in their home when they leave hospital.
Another aim is to avoid people being sent to hospital or staying in hospital too long when it would be better for them to get care at home.
At times the present system is ineffective if people get the same service twice -
The health board wanted to take charge and be the lead body to run services but faced concerns that that staff and core activities were being “taken over” with the health board culture dominating.
It also risked the scrutiny and responsibility for the transferred Comhairle services becoming removed from the democratic process.
However, it has now dropped that idea and will go along with the council’s plan to set up a new joint panel called an Integration Joint Board.
The board will take over aspects of the Comhairle’s services for adult and older people’s social work services, criminal justice, social work and housing support.
A chief officer for the board is to be recruited -
Other employees would stay with their present employer.
Under the legislation, there is an increasing urgency to have an integration scheme for the Western Isles approved by the Scottish Government before the end of March deadline.
However, the detailed work required to develop an integration scheme, will be presented to the health board and Comhairle for approval in December.
The health board and Comhairle said they are “committed to working in partnership to ensure that the integrated service brings about demonstrable improvements to patients and clients in the shortest possible timeframe.”
In a joint statement they said: “The focus for both organisations will be to focus resources on direct patient and client care and services, with minimal resources being invested into structures and systems.
“A significant amount of well-