Partners for Integration: Shaping the Future of Social Care
- Written by: Mar Sánchez Fernández — Senior Development Officer - Integration
- Published: 21st October 2024
Learn about the Partners in Integration programme delivered by Scottish Care to achieve a more cohesive and integrated care service.
The recent Partners for Integration event in Glasgow offered a compelling glimpse into the future of integrated health and social care in Scotland. As attendees from various sectors gathered to share ideas and forge collaborations, one thing became clear: the path to successful integration lies in breaking boundaries, fostering innovation, and placing people at the heart of care.
Central to the Partners for Integration programme are the Independent Sector Leads (ISLs), a network of professionals dedicated to ensuring the independent sector’s involvement in integrating health and social care across Scotland’s Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs). Operating in 21 partnership areas, ISLs facilitate collaboration, develop care pathways, and champion innovative approaches to service delivery.
The event, organised by Scottish Care, celebrated Health and Social Care Partnerships and highlighted the crucial role of the Partners for Integration programme. This Scottish Care initiative promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing among HSCPs, independent providers, and third sector organisations, paving the way for a more cohesive approach to delivering care services.
The day’s presentations offered valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. Dr Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care, emphasised the need for collaboration and innovation, urging attendees to “break the boundaries” of their work and take risks to drive positive change. Viv Gration from Dumfries and Galloway HSCP advocated for hopeful approaches to collaboration, highlighting how forward-thinking strategies can unlock present potential.
Members of the Perth and Kinross HSPC advocated for the implementation of person-centred practices across a variety of settings, from schools to prisons and colleagues from Scottish Care and the Care Inspectorate offered practical strategies for fostering partnerships, emphasising the critical role of trust in effective collaboration.
The event concluded with round-table discussions focused on three pillars: Inform, Collaborate, and Innovate. These conversations revealed common priorities, including the importance of sharing community assets, incorporating lived experiences, and addressing the balance between self-funded and public care to ensure equitable access to high quality care in line with human rights.
As we look to the future of social care integration in Scotland, the role of ISLs cannot be overstated. As Janice Cameron, Joint National Lead of Partners for Integration, states, the team “strives to improve outcomes for people accessing social care and support, embedding a person-led, human-rights based approach in all we do.” Their work in bridging gaps between sectors, fostering innovation, and promoting collaborative approaches is instrumental in creating a more integrated and responsive care system.
However, challenges remain. The health and social care sector, and particularly third sector providers, face unrelenting financial constraints. Amidst growing health inequalities, there is a pressing need to reduce overreliance on independent provision. We must work together to avoid the creation of a two-tier care system that could hinder equal access to quality care and to ensure that care services prioritise public benefit over profit.
The Partners for Integration event conveyed the message that the future of health and social care in Scotland lies in the collaborative efforts of those working directly with communities. By fostering a culture of hope, trust, and person-centred care, prioritising equity of access and putting human rights at the centre, we can create a system that truly serves the needs of all.
As we move forward, it’s crucial that we build upon the momentum generated by initiatives like Partners for Integration. Only by bringing together diverse stakeholders, sharing best practices, and maintaining a focus on the needs of those accessing care we can work towards a more integrated, efficient, and compassionate care system.
The road ahead may be challenging, but events like Partners for Integration show that there is a shared commitment to shape a brighter future for health and social care in Scotland together.
End of page.
You may also like:
John Watson, Associate Director of Stroke Association Scotland, shares how vital investment into stroke care is.
Continue readingInsecure, poor quality housing is making people ill and fuelling health inequalities in Scotland.
Continue readingDespite the recent concerns over the Scottish Human Rights Bill, the day felt insightful and optimistic.
Continue readingAfter gathering nominations to help identify an area, the Scottish Government has proposed a new National Park to be created in Galloway.
Continue readingFuel poverty isn’t just an energy issue – it’s a public health issue that demands urgent attention.
Continue readingAt Glasgow’s Byres Community Hub, something special unfolds once a month on Fridays from 11 am to 1 pm.
Continue readingCOPE Scotland launch new campaign with resources to support the journey to increased confidence and self-belief.
Continue readingTom shares his journey with self management, since being diagnosed with epilepsy four years ago.
Continue readingRead about the Nystagmus Network's BBC Radio 4 charity appeal on 11 August and how this has raised awareness of the eye condition.
Continue readingRebecca's research into social connectedness highlights the importance of strong community networks and services in rural areas in Scotland.
Continue readingSoberBuzz give an overview of their work and what it means to them to be nominated for the Self Management in the Community Award.
Continue readingMoira Anderson Foundation give an overview of their work and what it means to them to be nominated for the Self Management in the Community.
Continue readingFinding Your Feet discuss their work and what it means to them to be nominated for the Self Management in the Community Award.
Continue readingFeeling Strong give an overview of their work and what it means to them to be nominated for the Self Management in the Community Award.
Continue readingRichard expands on using writing as a means of processing past experiences and exploring the world around him in a new way.
Continue readingThe Scotland Reducing Gambling Harm programme share reflections from the 'Current Advances in Gambling Research' Conference.
Continue readingWith these image guidelines we aim to ensure respectful and balanced portrayals of care and later life.
Continue readingAvril McLean from Action for M.E. discusses the challenges for people living with M.E. and the range of self management support they offer.
Continue readingDr Alison Hosie, Scottish Human Rights Commission, explores the 2023 Open Budget Survey and comparable scores produced for Scotland.
Continue readingWhy self management is the transformational change needed within our health care services, from the Nursing Transformation Lead at NHSGGC.
Continue readingAt the Stroke Association, we decided to campaign on three things we felt would really make a difference to 'life after stroke' care.
Continue readingThe Mental Health Foundation's, Shari McDaid PhD, tells us why challenging poverty stigma is vital for people's mental health.
Continue readingHow the Long Term Care Commission and Audit Scotland findings highlight an opportunity for engagement on the NHS to refocus on integration.
Continue readingOur Chief Officer, Sara Redmond, spoke to Reform Scotland about the fundamental shifts required for effective public service reform.
Continue readingWhen time is so precious, it should be spent with family, not fighting a system that is supposed to help us.
Continue reading