The history of health and social care in Fife has reached two major landmarks.

The formal consultation on the Strategic Plan which sets out a vision for the transformation of health and social care over the next four years was launched last week while the Integration Joint Board (IJB) for Fife’s Health and Social Care Partnership was legally formed following approval from the cabinet secretary for health, Shona Robison.

Leading the changes in Fife, Sandy Riddell, director of Fife’s Health and Social Care Partnership outlined the importance of the next six months for users of services and those delivering care and support for people 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

He said: “October marks both the legal formation of the Integration Joint Board and the start of one of the most significant service consultations held across Fife. The Strategic Plan is a legislative requirement; our focus is to listen to the feedback from the public, service users, patients, carers, colleagues and partners so we make the right changes at the right time.

“Over the next 12 weeks, Fife’s Health and Social Care Partnership will be asking people to give their views on proposals which focus on transforming health and social care, from the way we plan and deliver services to the modernisation of the workforce.

“We will look to widen the skills of our teams, change the way we commission services, strengthen partnerships and leverage new technology.

“We want to spread existing pockets of innovation across the Kingdom and have health, social care and the third and independent services which are free from traditional boundaries to put the person at the heart of the business.”

The number of people aged over 75 years in Fife is predicted to increase by 44.6 per cent by 2024.

Underlining the need for change, newly appointed chair of the IJB, Cllr Andrew Rodger, said: “I am delighted to start my one year tenure as Chair of the Integration Joint Board, particularly at this time. We are facing enormous challenges, but I believe that in Fife we have the experience, professional skills and the will to transform services. In my role as Chair I will be out and about visiting staff from across all organisations.

“I will listen to their views and feed this back to my colleagues on the Board. The right action taken today will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come. It is an exciting time to get involved in the future of social care and health and I encourage everyone to have their say. The voice of the people lies at the centre of positive change. Through our previous two consultations on Localities and the Integration Scheme, and by working with service and patient groups, we have listened and developed proposals based on what was said. By working together we can continue to support those with the greatest needs, whilst keep people living safe and independent lives for as long as possible.”

The consultation is now live and will run from 7 October 2015 and will end on the 6 January 2016.