Review of the Health and Social Care Integration Scheme 2025
Argyll and Bute Council · 24 April 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 24 April 2025 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL LEGAL AND REGULATORY SUPPORT 24TH APRIL 2025 REVIEW OF THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION SCHEME 2025 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 The purpose of this report is to advise Members of the requirement to review the Health and Social Care Integration Scheme (the Scheme) and the proposed steps to achieve this. 1.2 In line with the provisions of section 44 of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 a review of the Integration Scheme between Argyll and Bute Council and NHS Highland requires to be completed and ready for submission to Scottish Ministers no later than 23rd March 2026, or a decision taken by the partner bodies that no changes are necessary to the current scheme by that date. 1.3 It is recommended that Members:- • Note the requirement for a review of the current Integration Scheme to be carried out by 23rd March 2026. • Endorse the proposed steps in respect of carrying out the review, including the formation of a working group. • Note that further updates in respect of the review will be prepared for future meetings of the Council, IJB and NHS Highland Board.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL LEGAL AND REGULATORY SUPPORT 24TH APRIL 2025 REVIEW OF THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION SCHEME 2025 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 The purpose of this report is to advise Members of the requirement to review the current Integration Scheme and the proposed steps to achieve this. 2.2.1 In line with the provisions of section 44 of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 a review of the Integration Scheme between Argyll and Bute Council and NHS Highland requires to be completed and ready for submission to Scottish Ministers no later than 23rd March 2026, or a decision taken by the partner bodies that no changes are necessary to the current scheme by that date. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that Members:- 3.1 Note the requirement for a review of the current Integration Scheme to be carried out by 23rd March 2026. 3.2 Endorse the proposed steps in respect of carrying out the review, including the formation of a working group. 3.3 Note that further updates in respect of the review will be prepared for future meetings of the Council, IJB and NHS Highland Board. 4.0 DETAIL 4.1 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. 4.2 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.
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4.3 Drawing on the approach adopted for the previous review of the Scheme, which was undertaken in 2019/20, a Working Group has been established to determine and agree any revisions required to the Scheme. The Working Group includes Senior Officer representation from across the Council, Argyll and Bute HSCP, and NHS Highland. An initial meeting was held on 11 March 2025 and the Group have begun the process of identifying potential areas for change. 4.4 Once the Working Group have completed their review of the Scheme over the coming months, a further report will be prepared for the Council, IJB and NHS Highland Board to seek agreement on any proposed changes put forward. If both partner bodies are agreeable to any proposed amendments, there is then a requirement to undertake a formal consultation exercise 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 prescribed stakeholders, and any others deemed appropriate. 4.5 In the event that a formal consultation exercise is required, the Working Group will develop, as part of their remit, a draft consultation and engagement strategy, for consideration and approval by the partner bodies at future meetings of the Council and NHS Highland Board. This will include details of the proposed consultation period/timetable, key consultees and methods of consultation/engagement. 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 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 Fairer Scotland Duty: 6.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics – none arising from this report 6.5.2 Socio-economic Duty – non arising from this report 6.5.3 Islands – non arising from this report
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6.6 Climate Change - none 6.7 Risk – non-compliance with statutory measures under the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 6.8 Customer Service - improved outcomes for all customers at core of legislation 6.9 The Rights of the Child (UNCRC) - 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 25th February 2025 For further information contact: Laura Blackwood Directorate Support Officer 01546 604325