Mapping out road towards integration

A new timeline has been published as the integration of health and social care gets underway in North Lanarkshire.
Janice Hewitt (centre) with Councillor Jim Smith and Dr Avril Osborne of North Lanarkshire Joint Integration Board.Janice Hewitt (centre) with Councillor Jim Smith and Dr Avril Osborne of North Lanarkshire Joint Integration Board.
Janice Hewitt (centre) with Councillor Jim Smith and Dr Avril Osborne of North Lanarkshire Joint Integration Board.

Integration will see local teams of professionals working together – alongside partners including unpaid carers, the third sector and independent sector – to deliver quality, sustainable care and services.

The focus of integration is on ensuring people get the right advice and support in the right place and at the right time.

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Staff have been assured that despite working closer than ever together there will be no change of employer as a result of the integration of health and social care.

Anyone currently employed by NHS Lanarkshire will remain so and the same is true of those working for North Lanarkshire Council.

A period of wider engagement on the draft Strategic Commissioning Plan is taking place between now and February with NHS Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire Council staff as well as third and independent sector and carers.

North Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership (H&SCP) is striving to ensure the process is as understandable as possible and recently, a glossary was published at www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk/ABOUT/HSCP/Pages/glossary.aspx to explain key terms and acronyms.

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Janice Hewitt, chief accountable officer of North Lanarkshire H&SCP explained the aim of the timeline is to bring further clarity around the integration process.

She said: “We are committed to ensuring the integration process is clear and accessible to everyone at every stage.

“This includes members of staff in health and social care, partners, stakeholders and members of the public - all of whom have played a key role in helping to shape our plans.

“The publication of the timeline charts where we’ve come from, and where we’re going to, with full integration of services expected here, and across Scotland, by April 1.

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“Overall our vision is that citizens of North Lanarkshire will be able to achieve their full potential through living safe, healthy and independent lives in their communities.

“We also want people to receive the information, advice support or care they need, at the right time, every time, efficiently and effectively.”

The timeline is available to view at www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk/About/HSCP/recent-news/Documents/News-Bulletin-North-Issue-2.pdf