Health and Social Care

  • Vital signs that GP engagement is critical to success of integration

    28th November 2014 by

    The new Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Scotland, Dr Miles Mack, recently signalled a far-reaching shift in thinking. ‘The metaphor of GPs as “gatekeeper” to the NHS is now outdated’ he said. ‘GPs have a central “hub” function in the NHS.’ That change is radical in itself but becomes self-evidently crucial...

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  • Joint Strategic Commissioning – what’s it all about?

    28th October 2014 by

    A recent event entitled ‘Preparing for integration – developing your strategic plan‘ was held on October 8, 2014, focusing on the analysis required for Integration Authorities to develop their Joint Strategic Commissioning plans in 2015-16. Key stakeholders taking part were asked why they felt this was so important. This is what they said… Peter Macleod, Director...

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  • Spotlight on: Sandy Riddell, Chief Officer for Fife

    27th October 2014 by

    What background brought you to the position of Chief Officer? I qualified as a social worker 36 years ago and have had extensive experience in both adult and children’s services. My experience as a Service Director has included responsibility for social work, housing and education services. In addition to substantial experience of implementing service integration...

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  • Spotlight on: Keith Redpath, Chief Officer for West Dunbartonshire

    27th October 2014 by

    Here in West Dunbartonshire we are in the fortunate position of already being in a fully integrated Community Health & Care Partnership. Our CHCP has been in operation since 2010 and brings together the full range of community health and social work/care services for all client groups under a single management structure and oversight. In...

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  • The ALLIANCE sets out the case for Integration

    27th October 2014 by

    Shelley Gray, Director of Policy and Communications for the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) explains the part her organisation has to play in health and social care integration. As an organisation whose core purpose is to give voice and influence to people who access health and social care, the Health and Social...

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  • UNISON Scotland members share their views in Integration Survey

    27th October 2014 by

    Health and care integration is not new in Scotland. There have been a number of initiatives to deliver joint working over the past 12 years, so our members not only have first-hand experience in this area, they also have invaluable views on how it can effectively be delivered. Earlier this month UNISON Scotland – the...

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  • Update on Meal Makers community project

    13th October 2014 by

    We recently blogged about Meal Makers, a Dundee-based pilot project that was launched on August 6, 2014. The initiative connects volunteers of any age who have a passion for cooking and want to be active in their communities (Cooks), with older neighbours (Diners) who would appreciate a home cooked meal. Meal Makers Project Manager Emma...

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  • International Conference for Integrated Care 2015

    10th October 2014 by

    The 15th International Conference for Integrated Care, entitled ‘Complex Needs, Integrated Solutions: Engaging, empowering and enabling people for active and healthy living’, takes place from March 25-27, 2015 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Edinburgh. The ICIC15 Scientific Committee is currently inviting delegates to submit abstracts of good practice, projects, development of policy and research and theory in...

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  • Best Practice for Housing Sector in Health and Social Care Integration

    10th October 2014 by

    The availability of appropriate good quality housing and housing services has been identified as making an important contribution to the success of the integration of health and social care. There are already a number of excellent examples of local authorities, housing associations and third sector organisations such as Housing Options Scotland and Care and Repair...

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  • Affirmative Scottish Draft Statutory Instruments Laid in Parliament

    7th October 2014 by

    The draft Affirmative Regulations, relating to the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014, which support the integration of health and social care were laid in the Scottish Parliament on Friday October 3, 2014. These relate to: Prescribed matters to be included in the Integration Scheme Prescribed functions that must be delegated by Local Authorities...

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