Health and Social Care

Spotlight on: Adam Coldwells, Chief Officer for Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership

January 21, 2015 by Linda White No Comments | Category Uncategorized

What were you doing before becoming Chief Officer ?

I was appointed Chief Officer in January 2014. Prior to taking up this role I was General Manager for Aberdeenshire CHP and interim General Manager for Moray Community Health and Social Care Partnership.

It is a great challenge but one that offers huge opportunity to bring about the changes we need to see in health and social care

How will integration work in Aberdeenshire?

Aberdeenshire Council and NHS Grampian agreed to set up a joint board to manage the integrated health and social care service in Aberdeenshire. The establishment of the new body, to which both the council and health board would delegate some of its functions, will create a new entity with a new role, purpose, culture and way of working.

What are the key challenges in Aberdeenshire?

Aberdeenshire is one of the most dynamic and unique regions in the country. It performs strongly across a wide range of indicators and recent surveys suggest residents enjoy the best quality of life in rural Scotland.

It is a largely rural area of 2,483 square miles. A particular challenge for our area therefore is access to services for people who live in rural communities.

As in every part of Scotland, we are seeing a significant increase in the elderly population by 2025, the 65-74 age group will increase by 45% while the 75+ age group will increase by 73%.

We have higher than average prevalence of dementia, obesity, thyroid conditions and kidney disease, with significant rates of cardiovascular disease. Aberdeenshire has lower than average number of people seeking work, and some of the highest house prices in the UK which impacts on our ability to recruit to the health and social care sector.

How are you involving staff in developing new ways of working?

All staff working in adult social care and health services are being asked for their ideas and solutions on how we can work better together, always with the service user or patient at the forefront of our minds.

Over 900 people came to our roadshows in May to discuss how we can all work together. The roadshow was held in 17 different venues from Macduff in the north to Stonehaven and Laurencekirk in the south.

Due to Aberdeenshire’s rural nature we have placed an importance on local decision making. Therefore managers helped draw up plans for local reference groups which are involving more than 200 people in framing the partnership locally – led by front line staff. They will also be involved in the consultation on the Draft Integration Scheme and Strategic Plan.

Tags: Aberdeenshire, Chief Officer, Integration

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