Difficulties posed by conflicting priorities
CHRISTINA West, chief officer of Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, said after the IJB meeting: ‘The budget paper presented at today’s meeting highlighted the scale of the financial challenge the HSCP is facing.
‘The IJB was presented with some very difficult decisions to take and was faced with a dilemma with conflicting priorities of providing quality care, meeting performance targets and expectations and delivering financial balance.
‘This included separate consideration of service proposals that are outwith the delivery of our strategic plan. The board did not approve any proposals that would not have been in line with the strategic plan’s objectives and priorities and consequently withdrew the report that was intended to be discussed in private session.
‘I am also aware that the speculation over the proposals has been unsettling for our staff, communities and stakeholders and I regret the upset, concern and anxiety that this has caused.
‘HSCP officers will therefore continue to engage and work with our staff, third and independent sectors, trade unions, our funding partners and our communities to develop plans to deliver savings for the organisation.
‘We will take up offers of support from our partners to develop the budget further, including communicating and supporting the case for change and the need to transform and modernise our services to meet current and future demand.’