Residents given say on integrated health care

Health and social care services on Arran are to be further integrated into one team which, officials say, will allow better support and care for the ageing population.

This would result in the creation of one Arran care team working across the island and a health and social care hub, where the majority of services would be based.

However, before that goes ahead Arran residents are being given the chance to have their say on the future services on the island at a series of engagement events.

As well as giving residents an insight into how health and social care services are changing on the island, the events will give people the opportunity to have a voice in how these changes are implemented.

The first of these is being held on Monday May 21 in Lochranza and Catacol Village Hall at 7.30pm with others around the island in the coming months.

Councillor Robert Foster, vice-chairman of the integration joint board, said that reducing financial resources, combined with an increasing demand on health and social care services, means that the way these services are delivered has to evolve.

‘We know that we face a number of challenges in the years ahead but by planning these changes now, we hope that the delivery of health and social care services on the island will be better future-proofed,’ said Councillor Foster.

‘We have an ageing population on Arran – and across North Ayrshire – and that means there will be an even greater demand for our services in the years ahead. At a time when we face reducing financial resources, it means that we have to change the way we deliver our services.

‘But residents should be assured that they remain the focus of these changes – our aim is to ensure that the services will be personcentred, flexible and the highest quality of care will remain unchanged.’

The other meetings will be held as follows: Monday July 23, Whiting Bay Hall at 7.30pm; Monday August 20, Shiskine Hall at 7.30pm; Monday September 24, Lamlash High School at 7.30pm; Monday November 26, Brodick Hall at 7.30pm.

Councillor Foster added: ‘It’s important that the people who live and work on Arran contribute to the planning of the changes for future services.

‘We believe that a more joined-up delivery of health and social care is the best way forward to meet these challenges but we are very keen to hear from the residents who will be affected.’

Free tea and coffee will be laid on at the engagement events and transport can be arranged if you need assistance. For more information on attending, contact Arran Services on 01770 600516 or 600777.