NHS and Highland Council Forums in East Ross
Residents from the wider Easter Ross area are invited to have their say on plans to integrate services for children and adults at two Ward Forums being held next week (both on Thursday 23 June).
Highland Council and NHS Highland are planning the integration of health, care and education services for children and adults. Having developed closer joint working over recent years, both agencies believe that it is possible to achieve even greater integration. They believe that this will further improve front line services, achieving better outcomes for the users of services, and are consulting at Ward Forums in the Tain and Easter Ross and Cromarty Firth areas about these plans.
The proposals will:
• reduce bureaucracy;
• ensure front-line services are efficient and cost effective by removing duplication and gaps;
• make sense to the public and to service users, by having a single, lead organisation responsible for the management and organisation of services; and
• provide a clear framework for improved leadership and enhanced public accountability.
These changes are significant because they:
• involve far reaching changes in organisational and management arrangements for the two largest employers in the Highland area.
• provide a means of achieving what politicians, professionals, clinicians and the public have been seeking for many years, in both children’s and adult services – reduced bureaucracy and a real joined up approach to service delivery.
• represent the most advanced plans in Scotland to achieve these aims.
• demonstrate the significant trust and effective working relationships that have been developed by care and health professionals across Highland Council and NHS Highland.
• will deliver real improvements in services and outcomes for the users of health and social care services in the Highlands.
The ward forums will provide an opportunity for members of the public to hear about and comment on these proropsals. In particular, it will seek views on how individuals and community groups might have a stronger voice in the delivery of health and social care services that are delivered in a more integrated way.
Garry Coutts, Chairman of NHS Highland, said: “NHS Highland and Highland Council appreciate that people want health and social care delivered in a straightforward way, with minimal bureaucracy. They want the services they need, delivered quickly and efficiently, and as local to where they live as possible. That is what we are seeking to do, through the integration of children’s and adult services, and we are keen to talk through the detail with local communities.”
Councillor Michael Foxley, Leader of the Council's Administration said: “When constituents want to raise an issue about health and social care, it does not really matter to them who runs that service, they just want it sorted. We are looking at new ways of delivering services, and as part of that, we want to ensure a more joined up approach and improved local accountability. This meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss and consider how that is best achieved.”
Both Forums are being held on Thursday 23rd June from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Refreshments will be available from 7pm to 7.30pm.The Cromarty Firth Ward Forum is being held in the Ardross Community Hall. The Tain and Easter Ross Ward Forum is being held in the Inver Village Hall. Newly elected Councillor Fiona Robertson will be attending.
Every Community Council and other representative community organisations are members of the Ward Forum and have the opportunity to feed the views of their community into the subjects being discussed.
If you have an enquiry about your Ward Forum; would like to submit questions in advance of the meeting; or have any special requirements/needs to help you take part, please contact Helen Ross at Invergordon Service Point or by phoning 01349 855524 or by emailing helen.ross@highland.gov.uk
Further information, agendas and past Ward Forum notes can also be found on the Highland Council website http://www.www.highland.gov.uk/ under “Your Ward”.