Health and social care reform Bill passed

Health and social care services are to be ‘joined up’ in an attempt to allow more people to be treated at home.

The Scottish Parliament has passed substantial legislation which will see health boards and local authorities establish integrated partnership arrangements, and delegate budgets and functions to them.

Each integrated partnership will be required to establish regional planning arrangements, while secondary legislation will establish national outcomes for health and wellbeing.

Health board boundary changes are being implemented to make the process easier.

Health Secretary Alex Neil called the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Bill a “landmark” reform. “By legislating to integrate of health and social care, we are setting out our rightly high and ambitious goal to ensure our public services put people at the centre of their care – not the other way around,” he said.

A Labour amendment to ensure care workers receive a living wage was defeated, a “missed opportunity” according to health spokesman Neil Findlay. “We have heard recent testimony from care workers who are looking after as many as 18 patients each day and are struggling to cope with the pressure they’re under. The least we could do is ensure they are paid a fair wage which enables them to meet basic living standards,” he said.

Health and Social care Alliance Scotland, which represents nearly 400 third sector organisations, welcomed the Bill’s commitment to a human rights-based approach but expressed disappointment MSPs did not back plans to embed the role of the third sector as a key strategic partner clearly on the face of the legislation.

Ian Welsh, Chief Executive of the ALLIANCE said: “Many of us have worked hard to secure very welcome amendments to more strongly reflect rights and assets-based principles. Now that the Act has passed we will be working to help shape guidance and legislation that secures a strong role for the third sector and, crucially, reflects co-production with people who access services and unpaid carers.”

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has argued the bill is too prescriptive and there should be more flexibility at local level.