Health and Social Care Partnership wants views

ARGYLL and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) is seeking the public’s views to help shape savings from its annual budget.

Argyll and Bute HSCP’s vision is to build on the services currently provided and ensure these will help people live long, healthy and independent lives.

The HSCP, however, has to change how services are delivered in future to meet the priorities outlined in the Scottish Government’s Health and Social Care Delivery Plan. All of this has to be achieved within a challenging financial outlook, with estimated savings required of £16.3m for 2017-18 and a further £5.7m for 2018-19, from an annual budget of £257m.

Christina West, chief officer for Argyll and Bute HSCP, said: ‘The social care partnership came into being in April 2016 and our strategic plan for 201619 has set out local priorities in response to national policies and importantly takes account of what is important to our local communities.

‘The HSCP has already established a dialysis unit in Campbeltown, with the support of the local community. We have also been investing money and recruiting more staff to maintain our 24/7 casualty departments and will be moving inpatient mental health services, on an interim basis, to Mid Argyll Hospital to provide better care for patients.

‘We are committed to keeping your local hospital at the heart of your community. Therefore we need to change how services are delivered. Over the next two years we need to save £22 million because of cost and inflation pressures and the level of funding given to us by NHS Highland and Argyll and Bute Council.

‘The Integration Joint Board, the governance board of the HSCP, will be meeting on Wednesday March 29 when it will be presented with the budget plan, outlining how we aim to achieve the savings required.

‘We really want to hear your views and ideas on this, especially in relation to what services are important to you and where you think we can do things differently to improve your experience of care and make more effective use of our budget.

‘A number of dropin events across Argyll and Bute have been arranged to provide you with an opportunity to meet representatives from the IJB, ask questions and share your views. Feedback forms will be available at these events or can be downloaded from www.tinyurl.com/jqgp8j6 alongside additional information, including a leaflet.’

Drop-in events will be held in: Oban, conference room at Corran Halls – Wednesday March 1, 2pm to 5pm and 6pm to 8pm; Lochgilphead, Community Centre – Friday March 3, 2pm to 5pm and 6pm to 8pm; Campbeltown, Community Centre – Wednesday March 8, 2pm to 5pm and 6pm to 8pm; Islay, Columba Centre, Bowmore – Thursday March 9, 2pm to 5pm.