Health and Social Care Update

Over the last few months we have been working closely with our council partners on plans to integrate local adult health and social care services. This includes work to review the two different organisational models set out in the national legislation to deliver the new integrated partnerships.

The NHS Forth Valley Board has agreed that our preferred model of delivery is the’ Body Corporate’ model, which is the approach being taking forward by the vast majority of Partnerships in the rest of Scotland. This model has been considered and approved by Falkirk Council.

Under these proposed new arrangements, Falkirk Council and NHS Forth Valley will delegate accountability for the delivery of agreed health and social care services to a new Integrated Joint Board which will have equal representation from both organisations. The Board will also appoint a Chief Officer who will report directly and jointly to the Chief Executives of Falkirk Council and NHS Forth Valley.

Both organisations will work together over the next few months to develop an Integration Scheme which will set out the range of services and resources which will be delegated to the new Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership. It will also describe the key national and local outcome and priorities for the Partnership and outline how and when these will be achieved. The Scheme will then be submitted to the Scottish Government for approval to enable the new arrangements to come into force from I April 2015.

Discussions are also continuing with Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils on proposals to develop a single Health and Social Care Partnership which would cover both council areas.