The integration of adult health and social care is part of the Scottish Government’s programme of reform to improve outcomes for adults who use health and social care services. The aim is to make sure that services are tailored to meet the particular needs of individual local communities.

This means that social care staff, GPs, hospitals, health workers, and the voluntary and independent sectors will increasingly work side-by-side in local teams to provide more co-ordinated services, tailored to meet the needs of individuals and their families.

In May 2015 Vicky Irons took up the new post of Chief Officer for the Angus Integration Joint Board for health and social care, the body which will now take forward integration work.

Chair of the Angus integration joint board, Councillor Glennis Middleton, said: “The integration of health and social care provides a new opportunity for the council and health services to work more closely together to provide the best possible service to the people of Angus.

“This is part of the Scottish Government’s ambitious programme of reform to improve the wellbeing of those who use health and social care services. This means that GPs, hospitals, health workers, social care staff, and the voluntary and independent sectors will increasingly work side-by-side in local teams to share information and provide more coordinated services.

“This new way of working will improve the quality and consistency of services for patients, service users, carers, families and communities. It will also formalise our existing joint working to ensure that people living in Angus are able to live full and positive lives within their own communities.

“Over the coming months we will be working hard to make sure that our communities receive the services they need, where they need them, when they need them. We will also be developing our strategic plan outlining the differences we will make and our aspirations and plans for the future of care across Angus.”

For the past two years, preparation for integrating services has been steered by a Joint Shadow Integration Board made up of elected members from Angus Council and board members of NHS Tayside.

@AngusCouncil