More than 1,000 people and agencies responded to the recent consultation on the future of health and social care services in Fife, it has emerged.
It is a hugely important time for health and social care in Fife and a strategic plan recently set out a four-year vision to transform services dealing with children’s health and young adults right through to older people’s care.
All of that will be the joint responsibility of the new Fife Health and Social Care Partnership, which will be responsible for a joint budget of more than £470 million and will have more than 5,500 staff.
And with Fife facing a population explosion over the coming years and the challenges that brings, getting it right has never been more vital.
A report of the consultation results will be presented to the partnership’s Integration Joint Board (IJB) on Wednesday February 10, where members will be asked to consider and approve the proposed Strategic Plan for 2016-19.
Councillor Andrew Rodger, chairman of the IJB, said: “The Strategic Plan is the backbone of everything the partnership does and I thank everyone for taking part.
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“In addition to our online questionnaire, over 40 face-to-face meetings ranging from the third and voluntary sector, clinical professions, such as GPs, service users as well as a breadth of staff from across NHS Fife and Fife Council were held.
“Hundreds of comments and ideas have been generated as a result and this will inform how we build on what works now and how we transform areas where people experience frustration due to duplication and complicated access to the services and care they need.
“By working smarter and in partnership, we can make best use of scarce resources and at the same time, drive up best practice.”
The countdown is now on to the launch of integrated health and social care services in Fife and this Wednesday will see the region’s Health and Social Care Partnership officially rolled out during a staff conference in Kinghorn.
Cradle to grave services have been joined up, from breastfeeding support to palliative care, and the partnership’s director, Sandy Riddell, said the launch follows widespread consultation with staff.
Sandy Riddell, health and social care director, added: “The voice of the people lies at the centre of positive change and I thank everyone for getting involved in shaping the future of care in Fife.
“By working together we can continue to support those with the highest needs, whilst keep people living safe and independent lives for as long as possible.”
While acknowledging that funding public services would continue to be a challenge, Mr Riddell said integration was not about making cuts.