South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board – Composite Health and Social Care Services
| Title | South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board – Composite Health and Social Care Services |
|---|---|
| Council Resource | Social Work |
| Aims and Objectives | In order to secure recurring financial sustainability in the context of significant pressures on public sector funding, both nationally and locally, the IJB approved the adoption of a Sustainability and Value Programme in September 2023 with the aim of achieving savings while maintaining statutory services and public protection. This impact assessment report provides a summary of the individual EQIAs associated with the proposed health and social care savings options and the management and operational actions outlined in the Integration Joint Board (IJB) Financial Plan 2024/2025. The interdependencies and the impact from an equality and diversity perspective are highlighted. It is anticipated that there will be impacts on the wider health and social care system. The provision of health and social care services across the community, hospitals and other settings is intrinsically linked. This EQIA recognises that if one area of the system is affected, it can have a knock-on effect to other areas, for example, managing hospital delays. Therefore, impacts to the wider system flow as a result of requiring to do the same and potentially more with less resource is a key consideration of the proposals outlined in this impact assessment. |
| Conclusion | The IJB has consulted extensively (2015 to present) on three SCPs to date, all of which have resulted in a common set of strategic priorities and intentions which have remained consistent across the three iterations of the plans. In relation to the current proposals, a range of consultation has been undertaken, including extended sessions with IJB members and IJB Voting Members https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/slhscp/info/2/integration_joint_board who participated in workshop sessions. Whilst not decision-making forums, these interactive sessions provided the opportunity for IJB members to consider, inform, scrutinise and challenge potential proposals presented in draft. The South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Forum has also contributed to the overall process, representing the views of the public on health and social care matters. Given the overall financial position nationally and locally across public services, the approach will continue to be that health and social care needs are met however waiting times may increase and critical and substantial needs will be addressed. The policy outlined in the above section will primarily impact upon: - Adults and older people living with long term conditions who may also have a level of frailty. - Adults with additional support needs, for example a learning disability or mental health issue. - Members of the community who are prescribed medication. - Pharmacists and those with responsibility for prescribing, including GPs, nurse practitioners, pharmacists etc. - Families and unpaid carers. - Health and Social care staff across a range of providers of services. - Organisations who are commissioned partners in delivering social care services. The policy will introduce a range of proposed health and social care savings and management and operational actions. Capacity within services will be affected and adults and older people and those with a disability may have to wait longer for a service. Services will be targeted to those with critical, substantial and urgent need. Delivering statutory services to the most vulnerable will continue to be the priority regardless of the financial challenges being faced nationally and locally. Where it is feasible, existing services will be redesigned to allow for demand to be managed. The IJB is required to set a balanced budget. Any impact of this policy will be monitored through regular internal review with the monitoring of outcomes for individuals and through regular inspection by the Care Inspectorate. Progress of the policy will be reported through the IJB, Social Work Resources Committee and the senior management team. Health and social care services, similar to many other public services, are challenged to maintain a balanced budget within the current financial climate and growing demographics and demand for service. Action will be taken to mitigate any potential impact on protected characteristic groups as a result of the health and social care savings options and the management and operational actions. It is recommended that this approach be approved to enable the IJB to meet the statutory duties set out in the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 and other associated legislative duties. Agreed by the South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board on 26th March 2024. |
| Completion date | March 2024 |
| Contact Email address | equalities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk |