Review of the Health and Social Care Integration Scheme 2025
Argyll and Bute Council · 26 June 2025
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL LEGAL AND REGULATORY SUPPORT 26TH JUNE 2025 REVIEW OF THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION SCHEME 2025 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 A report was tabled at Council on 24th April 2025, which advised Members of the requirement to review the Health and Social Care Integration Scheme (the Scheme) and the proposed actions to take this forward. 1.2 A joint review of the Scheme has now been undertaken via the Working Group put in place for this purpose, with Senior Officer representation from across the Council, Argyll and Bute HSCP, and NHS Highland. This report sets out the proposed revisions to the Scheme and, if agreeable, details the next steps, including the requirement for the Council and the Health Board to undertake a joint consultation with prescribed stakeholders. 1.3 It is recommended that Members:- 1.3.1 Agree the revisions detailed within the updated Integration Scheme (appendix 1) and summary revisions document (appendix 2); 1.3.2 Agree, subject to approval of 1.3.1, that Officers now proceed with arrangements for the joint consultation exercise as set out within section 4.2 of the report, and the Consultation and Engagement Strategy, detailed in appendix 3. 1.3.3 Agree that, in the event that the consultation feedback suggests no further changes to the Scheme and voices no opposition to the proposed changes, that the two Chief Executive Officers are authorised to approve the draft revised Integration Scheme on behalf of the Council and the NHS Highland Board prior to submitting to the Scottish Government for approval.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL LEGAL AND REGULATORY SUPPORT 26TH JUNE 2025 REVIEW OF THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION SCHEME 2025 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 A report was tabled at Council on 24th April 2025, which advised Members of the requirement to review the Health and Social Care Integration Scheme (the Scheme) and the proposed actions to take this forward. 2.2 A joint review of the Scheme has now been undertaken via the Working Group put in place for this purpose, with Senior Officer representation from across the Council, Argyll and Bute HSCP, and NHS Highland. This report sets out the proposed revisions to the Scheme and, if agreeable, details the next steps, including the requirement for the Council and the Health Board to undertake a joint consultation with prescribed stakeholders. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that Members:- 3.1 Agree the revisions detailed within the updated Integration Scheme (appendix 1) and summary revisions document (appendix 2); 3.2 Agree, subject to approval of 3.1, that Officers now proceed with arrangements for the joint consultation exercise as set out within section 4.2 of the report, and the Consultation and Engagement Strategy, detailed in appendix 3. 3.3 Agree that, in the event that the consultation feedback suggests no further changes to the Scheme and voices no opposition to the proposed changes, that the two Chief Executive Officers are authorised to approve the draft revised Integration Scheme on behalf of the Council and the NHS Highland Board prior to submitting to the Scottish Government for approval. 4.0 DETAIL 4.1 Review of the Integration Scheme
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4.1.1 The legal requirement to complete a review of an Integration Scheme is set out in Section 44 of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act). The Scheme must be reviewed each subsequent period of 5 years beginning with the day on which the Scheme was approved, in this case 23rd March 2021. 4.1.2 On this basis a review of the Scheme is required by law to be completed by 23rd March 2026. The statutory responsibility to review the Scheme sits with the Board of NHS Highland and Argyll and Bute Council. 4.1.3 Drawing on the approach adopted for the previous review of the Scheme, which was undertaken in 2019/20, a Working Group was established to determine and agree any revisions required to the Scheme. The Working Group, made up of Senior Officers from across the Council, Argyll and Bute HSCP, and NHS Highland met on numerous occasions between March and May 2025 and have now concluded their review. The proposed revisions to the Scheme are detailed within appendix 1 for Members’ consideration. A copy of this report will also be tabled at the NHS Highland Board scheduled for 29th July 2025 for approval. 4.1.4 If both parent bodies are agreeable to the proposed revisions to the Scheme, as detailed in appendices 1 and 2, there are a number of subsequent steps which require to be taken and these are detailed below. 4.2 Next Steps 4.2.1 In accordance with Section 46(4) of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014, the Council and the Health Board must jointly consult with groups and individuals, to include the prescribed stakeholders and any others deemed appropriate. 4.2.2 The Consultation and Engagement Strategy, attached at appendix 2, sets out the background and purpose of the exercise, and provides an overview of the proposed approach, including:- • An 8 week consultation period from 25th August to 19th October 2025. Specific timescales or methodology for consultation are not prescribed in the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014, however the suggested 8 week consultation period is in line with national/local guidance on consultations. • Details of the statutory / non statutory stakeholders. In line with the 2014 Act, the prescribed stakeholders are:- - Health professionals (GPs, management teams, clinical groups inlcuding nursing staff and allied health professionals) - Users of health care - Carers of users of health care - Commercial providers of health care - Non-commercial providers of health care - Social care professionals - Users of social care - Carers of users of social care
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- Commercial providers of social care - Non-commercial providers of social care - Staff of the Health Board and local authority who are not health professionals or social care professionals - Non-commercial providers of social housing - Third sector bodies carrying out activities related to health or social care - Highland Council - NHS Greater Glasgow and Cyde • Details of the survey question set and how consultees can respond to the consultation / get in touch with any questions or queries. • An operational plan, setting out the proposed engagement method(s) for each stakeholder group. 4.2.3 Following the consultation period, Argyll and Bute Council and NHS Highland will take into account any views expressed during the consultation prior to finalising the draft revised Integration Scheme. A report on the agreed revisions to the Integration Scheme following consultation will be submitted to meetings of Argyll and Bute Council and the NHS Highland Board at the earliest opportunity thereafter. 4.2.4 In the event that the consultation feedback suggests no further changes to the Scheme and voices no opposition to the proposed changes, it is recommended that the two Chief Executive Officers are authorised to approved the draft revised Integration Scheme on behalf of the Council and the NHS Highland Board prior to submitting to the Scottish Government for approval. 4.2.5 Thereafter, both parent bodies must jointly submit the revised Scheme to the Scottish Ministers for approval by the 23rd March 2026 deadline. 4.2.6 The Council and NHS Highland must publish the revised Integration Scheme as soon as practicable after it takes effect. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 In line with the provisions of section 44 of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 a review of the current Integration requires to be completed and ready for submission to Scottish Ministers no later than 23rd March 2026. This report advises Members of the proposed steps to fulfil this requirement, including the creation of a Working Group. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy – in line with Scottish Government statutory guidance/policy on improving health and social care outcomes 6.2 Financial – non arising from this report
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6.3 Legal - meets the requirements of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 6.4 HR – none arising from this report 6.5 Customer Service - improved outcomes for all customers at core of legislation 6.6 Risk – non-compliance with statutory measures under the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 6.7 Climate Change - none 6.8 Fairer Scotland Duty – none arising from this report 6.9 Equalities - protected characteristics – none arising from this report 6.10 Consumer Duty – none arising from this report 6.11 Island Communities – none arising from this report 6.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing - improved outcomes for all customers at core of legislation Douglas Hendry Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support Policy Lead for Care Services – Councillor Dougie McFadzean 14th May 2025 For further information contact: Laura Blackwood Directorate Support Officer 01546 604325 APPENDICES Appendix 1 – Updated Integration Scheme 2025 Appendix 2 – Summary of Proposed Revisions Appendix 3 – Consultation and Engagement Strategy