Health and social care services are now integrated in East Dunbartonshire and are provided by the East Dunbartonshire Heath and Social Care Partnership (HSCP).
Which services are covered?
- Adult and Children Social Work services including assessment and support management, home care, day care and carer support
- Criminal Justice Services
- Community and Primary Care services including Community Nursing, Rehabilitation, Occupational Therapy and Health Promotion
- The planning of some services provided in hospital (such as the medical care of older people)
- Aids and adaptations for daily living, community alarms, telecare and telehealth
Why have health and social care services integrated?
There has already been a steep rise in the number of older people and this will increase in the decades ahead, resulting in more demand for health and social care services. Demand for services for younger adults with physical or learning disabilities and for people with mental ill-health and other conditions has also increased. With pressure on public sector finances, it is time to think differently about how to meet these challenges.
What does Integration look like?
Put simply it means that GPs, hospitals, social workers, health workers, social care staff and others now work as one team to reduce the barriers between services, putting the needs of service users first.
Previously, services were planned and organised by the Health Board and the Council. Integration brings things together into a single Partnership, with one overall manager, a combined budget, working to one strategic plan. This should make service user experiences and outcomes more effective and more efficient.
Who manages the integration of services in East Dunbartonshire?
The HSCP Board includes three Councillors and three non-executive members of Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board. It also involves a range of professional advisors, service providers, employee representatives and, importantly, service users and carers.
Susan Manion is the Chief Officer and Councillor Rhondda Geekie is the Chair.
Do service users or patients need to do anything?
No. These changes mean that health and social care employees are working more closely together to improve care and support. We are increasingly involving service users and patients in their own care and support arrangements. There will also be more opportunities for people who receive services (or care for those who do), to become more involved in developing and improving local services.
When did integration happen?
The establishment of the East Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Integration Joint Board (IJB) needed Scottish Parliament approval - this was granted on 27 June when our Integration Scheme was approved. The Partnership then moved towards full integration, with the preparation of a strategic plan which sets out how integration functions will be delivered, how outcomes will be met and locality arrangements. The first meeting of the fully constituted IJB was on 3 September 2015.