Changes afoot as beds are not being used

Angus Health and Social Care Partnership admitted its review would result in changes to the number of inpatient beds and facilities.

A spokesman said changes are required across a “range of service areas” in Angus.

The partnership’s strategic plan aims to provide services that have a much greater emphasis on prevention, early intervention, selfmanagement, supporting people in their own homes and communities and less unnecessary use of hospitals and care homes.

The spokesman said the care review would examine resources to make sure they are “configured” in the right way to meet future needs as it develops a new model of care.

“Information to date suggests we are already doing well with more than 90% of older people’s care being delivered in the community but there is still more to do for the whole adult population,” she said.

“We need to carry out this review because we face a number of challenges in delivering sustainable services.

“We have an ageing workforce and there are national shortages of health care staff which we must plan for. The facilities we deliver our services from must be able to support the delivery of modern health care.

“More people need support in our communities, including carers, and we have more inpatient beds than we need, with up to 35 inpatient beds per day in Angus not being required.

“Of course we must also ensure we are using our resources in the most effective way and getting best value for our financial resources.”

Last week a series of drop-in information events was held for people to express their views.

These will be considered when a report on a new model of care is considered by the Angus Integration Joint Board in January.

“Bringing all of these developments together gives us a real opportunity to develop better local integrated services and to create an Angus Care Model,” he said.