East Lothian consults on integrated health & social care

East Lothian Council and NHS Lothian have launched two consultations on the integration of health and social care in the East Lothian.

In April 2015, the new East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership will assume responsibility for the planning and commissioning of health and social care services in the county.

People are being asked for their views on the First Consultation Draft of the Strategic Plan, which describes the changes and improvements in health and social care that the partnership wants to make over the next ten years. It explains what the partnership’s priorities are, how they identified them and how they intend to make a difference by working in partnership.

Views are also being sought on the East Lothian Integration Scheme Consultation Draft. This has been developed as part of the work towards integrating health and social care in East Lothian.  Legislation requires that the parties who will be involved in joint health and social care arrangements jointly prepare an Integration Scheme – in this case East Lothian Council and NHS Lothian. It covers a number of key elements related to the delegation of functions and resources.

Both consultations run to 17th February 2015 and are available on the East Lothian Consultation Hub.

David Small, Director of Health and Social Care in East Lothian, says: “Health and social care services are used by all of us and I hope that as many people as possible take part in these consultations. Your views will be analysed and taken into account as we continue to develop the strategy and integration scheme. This is something that will affect every one of us, so I urge you to make sure you have your say.”