Health and Social Care

Ayrshire Integration Joint Boards are first to be approved in Scotland

March 3, 2015 by Linda White No Comments | Category Uncategorized

Following the submission of three Integration Schemes from Ayrshire, Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport has now signed the Parliamentary Order which enables the establishment of these new Health and Social Care Partnerships.

East, North and South Ayrshire Councils, with NHS Ayrshire & Arran, will be the first in Scotland to set up their Integration Joint Boards. The Order is required to lie in Parliament for 28 days, after which the new Partnerships, each led by a Chief Officer, can become fully operational.

All Health Boards and Local Authorities are required to submit their Integration Schemes for Ministerial approval by 1 April 2015. The new Health and Social Care Partnerships across Scotland must be up and running by 1 April 2016.

South Ayrshire

Councillor Rita Miller, Chair of the South Ayrshire Shadow Integration Board says: “The new integrated Partnerships combine the resources and expertise from local Councils, the NHS and a number of other stakeholders to deliver key services where they are needed most – right in the heart of our communities.

“The approval of the Integration Scheme paves the way for a new approach to the delivery of community-based health and social care services in South Ayrshire, which will make a real difference for our residents. I look forward to the new Integration Joint Board starting its work in April and seeing that difference take shape.”

East Ayrshire

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council and Chair of the Shadow Integration Board said: “I am delighted to see this tangible success from our partnership work across Ayrshire that has included not only the councils and NHS Ayrshire & Arran, but also employee representatives, the third sector, patients and carers.

“In East Ayrshire, we see this as an important opportunity to work together to support our children in the early years of life, help address long term health conditions and inequalities and also ensure our older people get the support and care they are entitled to. I look forward to working ever closer with all our communities to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of all our residents.”

North Ayrshire

Councillor Anthea Dickson, North Ayrshire Council Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care says: “This is fantastic news and another important step towards the creation of the new North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership.

“Thanks to the hard work and commitment of our staff we are the first in Scotland to reach this stage. This will ensure that the new Partnership will be up and running at the earliest opportunity and enable our residents to benefit from much closer working between health and social care.”

NHS Ayrshire & Arran

Mr Burns, Chief Executive of NHS Ayrshire & Arran said: “We have worked closely with colleagues in the Scottish Government to ensure everything remains on track and they have given us tremendous support. It has been a collective effort by many people working together to help us bring the potential benefits of integration for the people of Ayrshire & Arran into play as soon as possible.

“Well done to all partners involved in getting us to this stage.”

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