05.07.2013
Legislation that sets out proposals to ensure that Scotland’s health and social care systems work together effectively to improve the provision of care in our communities will be scrutinised by the Health and Sport Committee. MSPs have today issued a call for views on the proposals.
The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Bill was introduced by the Scottish Government on 28 May and sets out a number of proposals which will enable local authorities and health boards deliver joined up care.
Convener of the Committee Duncan McNeil MSP said:
“We all know that Scotland’s demography is changing. People are living longer and healthier lives. But we need to make sure that our services are able to deal with this and to give older people and those with complex care needs the level of service they deserve both at hospital and in their own home.
“This Committee will look at the detail behind the proposals to make sure that this delivers for the people of Scotland.
“We want to hear from both the organisations and charities that will be involved in delivering this and most importantly from the patients that it will impact upon.”
Deputy Convener of the Committee Bob Doris MSP said:
“This legislation is extremely timely and represents a positive step in providing integrated an integrated health and social care system that provides high quality care to those that need it.
“I know that this is already happening in some parts of Scotland, so this Committee will be looking to see if the proposals outlined in this legislation will put in place effective governance arrangements to allow for the provision of high quality health and social care.”
In summary, the Bill:
- Provides for the Scottish Ministers to specify national outcomes for health and wellbeing, and for delivery of which, Health Boards and local authorities will be accountable to the Scottish Ministers and the public
- Sets out principles for planning and delivery of integrated functions, which local authorities, Health Boards and joint integration boards will be required to have regard to.
- Establishes integration joint boards and integration joint monitoring committees as the partnership arrangements for the governance and oversight of health and social care services. The Bill will remove Community Health Partnerships from statute.
- Requires Health Board and local authority partners to enter into arrangements to delegate functions and appropriate resources to ensure the effective delivery of those functions.
- Requires integration joint boards to appoint a chief officer, who will be jointly accountable, through the board, to the constituent Health Board and local authorities, and responsible for the management of the integrated budget and the delivery of services for the area of the integration plan.
- Requires integration joint boards, and Health Boards or local authorities to whom functions are delegated acting in the capacity of ―integration authority to prepare a strategic plan for the area, which sets out arrangements for delivery of integration functions and how it will meet the national health and wellbeing outcomes.
Background
Stakeholders are being asked to contribute their views in the call for evidence issued by the Committee, which has a deadline of Friday 02 August.