South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board – HSCP24 Physiotherapy Services and Occupational Therapy Service Redesign
| Title | South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board – HSCP24 Physiotherapy Services and Occupational Therapy Service Redesign |
|---|---|
| Council Resource | Social Work |
| Aims and Objectives | The aim of this proposal is to combine both Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physiotherapy Services (PT) into a joint Rehabilitation Service. On 19 September 2023, the IJB approved the exploration of transformational change and potential service redesign of the services. An implementation strategy is proposed to transition towards the following over the next 18 months: A joint Rehabilitation service with a combined leadership structure. Maximise efficiencies of service delivery models within the combined structure. The impact of this proposal will result in a reduction of posts. The current Occupational Therapy Service establishment is 265.76 FTE. The current Physiotherapy Service establishment is 317.46 FTE. The joint Rehabilitation Service with a combined leadership structure is expected to release approximately 20 FTE posts. The effect of this proposal would result in full year recurring savings of £1.210m, which equates to 6% of the overall combined budget. This would support the Integration Joint Board (IJB) to achieve its statutory responsibility to set a balanced budget in 2024/25. |
| Conclusion | The policy is likely to affect people of all ages who have challenges in completing daily activities due to physical, mental or cognitive conditions and will support them to maximise their independence and participate in activities that are important to them; or need to regain movement and function which has been lost or impaired as a result of injury, illness or disability. 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 A Short Life Working Group was established and included Professional, HR and Trade Union colleagues and the Director of Allied Health Professionals. 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. It is unlikely that the policy will impact negatively on any of the protected characteristic groups. However ongoing discussion of the policy will be undertaken to ensure actions are taken to mitigate any differential impact. Detailed reports on implementation of the strategy will be shared routinely at the Clinical Care Governance Meeting over the next 18 months. This recommendation will bring both OT and PT services together into a joint Rehabilitation Service to work across primary, community and inpatient healthcare settings, providing complementary services that will benefit patients, service users and shared learning across the workforce. It is not anticipated that the policy will have a differential impact on people due to any of the protected characteristics. Agreed by the South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board on 26th March 2024. |
| Completion date | March 2024 |
| Contact Email address | equalities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk |