New plans to merge local authority and NHS services for adults have been given the green light by Renfrewshire Council.

The move is designed to help adults in Renfrewshire enjoy longer, healthier lives, lived in their own homes. It will also help local services work together to deliver the Scottish Government’s nine national health and wellbeing goals at a local level.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

The plans were approved at the council meeting on Thursday 26 February.

Renfrewshire Council and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will now set up the Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Integration Joint Board (IJB) to oversee the effective design and delivery of services.

The IJB will be responsible for a £200m budget for local services. A key aim will be to join up community services so that they work effectively together and with those provided by hospitals and GPs.

Renfrewshire Council Leader, Mark Macmillan, said, “The council has taken a pioneering approach to partnership working and a number of joint social work and NHS teams are already delivering real benefits for Renfrewshire residents.

“Our Reablement Team offers a range of services designed to help people recover their independence and stay in their own homes. It includes occupational therapists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, stroke nurses and home carers.

“The team is a one-stop shop for clients. It gives them easy access to a range of health care specialists, allowing all their needs to be addressed as efficiently as possible.

“Another example is our Integrated Alcohol Team which includes nurses, psychology, occupational therapy, social worker and family support staff. It follows the same model as the Reablement Team, bringing together all the specialists that people with alcohol problems need to address their addiction effectively. It also minimises duplication and uses shared resources more effectively.

“I fully expect that bringing all of Renfrewshire’s health and social care services together will build on these success stories and make a significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of local people.”

David Leese, the Health and Social Care Partnership’s Chief Officer Designate, said, “In Renfrewshire, we are already seeing benefits from health and social care services working together. The creation of this new partnership will provide a platform to build upon so we can deliver the best possible services for the local community.”

While the board will include workers from both Renfrewshire Council and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde the staff will remain employees of their parent organisation.

The Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership Integration Joint Board is being set up under the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014. Similar partnerships are being established across the country.

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