Have say on health budget cut
Argyll residents are about to have their say on £4.8 million of proposed budget cuts to health services.
The consultation process, which in previous years has been hosted on Argyll and Bute Council’s website at argyll-bute.gov.uk, will last until Monday February 28.
Options on the table include a one per cent reduction in hospital budgets, which would save the area’s health and social care partnership (HSCP) £540,000.
Reviews of other services, such as prescribing process and products, and specific high-cost mental health care packages, have also been mooted as potential savings.
But calls have been made for health chiefs to consult with service user groups earlier in the budget-setting process.
Takki Sulaiman, chief executive officer at Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface, raised concerns about the high-cost care package review, as well as plans for transport for patients.
A proposal to save £12,000 involves reducing the number and size of vehicles, and encouraging independent travel where possible.
Mr Sulaiman was speaking at the virtual meeting of the HSCP’s integration joint board on Wednesday January 26.
He said: ‘There are no easy options and that is understood from the outset. What would help the IJB to participate more in the process is some early discussions with service user groups.
‘For example, this could be with the review of high-cost care packages. I am not sure what that represents but it becomes more challenging.
‘If we remove, for instance, horse riding lessons, that is a significant drop in their quality of life. If access to physiotherapy is affected then it might mean people are confined to their houses for longer.
‘On transport costs, it may only be £12,000 but my concern is about the approach. It doesn’t look like we are approaching our communities and that could be a really useful tool to aid big decisions.
‘I don’t think we should wait until the statutory savings have been agreed to do the EQIA (equality impact assessment). But I acknowledge this is a really difficult thing to do well.’
James Gow, the HSCP’s head of finance, said: ‘Mr Sulaiman’s comments are very valid. We are in the process of working out impact assessments and I can give reassurance, particularly the point around care packages.
‘These are savings focused on ensuring that people have the appropriate level of support. It is not about taking essential services away from anybody; these are appropriate changes to care packages which have been pulled together after a detailed review.’
Mr Gow had previously said in a report: ‘The board is asked to note and endorse the savings programme in advance of the consultation process and approval of the budget in March.
‘There will clearly be a service impact associated with the savings programme, however, the management team have worked hard to ensure that the proposals have the minimum possible impact upon service delivery and our staff.
‘It is also worth highlighting that there is some growth funding available in certain areas and this should enable savings to be delivered with a reduced impact.’
The IJB will then set the budget at its next meeting on Wednesday March 30.