‘Reaching High’ – supporting our communities in Highland
Issued by NHS Highland
NHS Highland held a showcase event to highlight its vision for the delivery of high quality health and social care services in Highland today.
Since health and social care were integrated in 2012, NHS Highland has worked purposefully with our partners to improve support for our communities, which include some of the most remote and rural in the whole of Scotland.
‘Reaching High’ invited health and social care professionals from across NHS Highland, The Highland Council and Third Sector organisations to promote and share examples of innovative and good practice and celebrate the successes and progress made so far – and to acknowledge the work that remains to be done in providing the highest standard of care to our public.
NHS Highland chief operating officer Deborah Jones, who chaired the event, said: “Today was all about sharing and celebrating all of the good things we’ve been creating, shaping and innovating over the last three years in relation to the integration of health and adult social care services.
“The positive outcomes from today were the range and diversity of the stories being told and the services that are being delivered and developed. Today’s event showcased the work which provides us with a fantastic platform for future integration innovation.
“However, we are very much at the start of our journey. I think the next steps are really about developing our community asset based approach through keeping people well; ensuring we provide the right level of support – not just to individuals, but to communities as a whole - and to reinforce the absolutely critical relationship that we have with third and independent sector colleagues.”
The event included presentations from both Deborah Jones and NHS Highland director of adult social care Joanna Macdonald and a series of sessions facilitated by staff from across NHS Highland’s four Operational Units.
There was also an opportunity for individuals and groups to highlight the work being undertaken in Highland with our partner organisations via several poster presentations.
NHS Highland director of adult social care Joanna Macdonald said: “What has been fantastic about today’s event is that the examples about partnership working weren’t primarily about NHS Highland and Highland Council, but about how we’ve been working with voluntary sector and communities.
“In our third year of integration, we’ve learned to look at the assets in our communities and celebrate the differences and how we use and support them.
“We’re definitely on the right journey with integration. Where we’re at now is a fantastic place that is challenging and exciting – and having a more effective impact than we had imagined.”
Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Drew Hendry made the closing remarks on the conference. He said: “This event has clearly demonstrated how effective integration has been in providing services for the people of Highland.”