Democracy Spraffa

Strategic Risk Register IJB Jan 23

Argyll and Bute Council · 25 January 2023
Back to Argyll and Bute HSCP Integration Joint Board (IJB) — 25 January 2023 and its agenda

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Page 1

Strategic Objectives 2019-22
A We will work to reduce health inequalities
B We will plan and provide health and social care services in ways that keep people safe and protect them from harm
C We will ensure children have the best possible start in life and plan services in a person centred way that benefits the person receiving the service, so they have a positive experience - right service, right place, right time.
D We will plan for and deliver services in person centred ways that enable and support people to look after and improve their own health and well-being
E We will prioritise community based services, with a focus on anticipatory care and prevention to reduce preventable hospital admission or long term stay in a care setting
F We will deliver services that are integrated from the perspective of the person receiving them or represent best value with a strong focus on the well being of unpaid carers
G We will establish "Locality Planning, Owning, Delivery" operational and management arrangements to respond to local needs
H We will strengthen and develop our partnership with specialist health services with NHS GG & C and Community Planning Partners as well as with the third and Independent sectors
I We will sustain, refocus and develop out partnership workforce on anticipatory care and prevention
J We will put in place a strategic and operational management system that is focused on continuous improvement, with a clear governance and accountability framework
K We will underpin our arrangements by putting in place a clear, communication and engagement arrangement involving our staff, users, the public and stakeholders

Page 2

ARGYLL & BUTE INTEGRATED JOINT BOARD STRATEGIC RISK REGISTER  UPDATED DECEMBER 2022
Risk Ref
and xRef to
Strategic
Objectives
Description Of Risk Consequence Likelihood Impact Risk Rating
/Score
Mitigations/
Control Measures 2021/22
Likelihood Impact Risk Rating
/Score
Proposed New
Control Measures
Risk
Owner(s)
SSR01
links to
B,E,F,J
Financial Sustainability - risk of financial failure
arising from costs and demand for services
outstripping the available budget. This could be as
a result of unbudgeted demand, cost pressures
and inflation, failure to deliver savings targets or as
a result of the level of delegated resource to the IJB
from Scottish Government and / or partners not
being sufficient to deliver on strategic objectives.
Inability to deliver on the Strategic Plan, reduction
in performance, progress not being made in
respect of national priorities and targets,
reputational damage to the IJB and partner bodies
and the requirement to implement service changes
or reductions that are not line with the strategic
objectives. Possibility of intervention in
management of HSCP.
5 - Almost
Certain
5 - Extreme VERY HIGH
25
○The Integration Scheme outlines the consequences of
overspend - partners required to supplement resources
○ Financial information reported to Finance & Policy Cttee and IJB
for current year and the budget outlook for future 3 years.
o Review of funding allocations and settlements from
government and partners and engagement with sector networks
○ Finance & Policy Committee which meets regularly and
scrutinises financial performance, risk management, savings
programme and financial planning
○ Increased focus and resource on delivery of the Savings Plan,
project management approach to monitor and record progress
oDevelopment of financial governance, integrated financial
reporting, financial risk register, operational and strategic
reporting along with careful modelling of cost pressures.
independent external audit of accounting and financial planning
and reporting process of partners and HSCP
oEngagement with budget holders, SIO's and finance teams to
ensure accurate financial forecasting is in place.
oEarly repayment of debt to reduce future cost pressures
4- Likely 5- Extreme VERY HIGH 20 o Detailed plans under development for use of reserves
o New savings programme being developed
o development of medium term financial plan
Chief Financial Officer
/ SLT
↑
SSR02
links to
A,B,C,D,E,F,
G,H,I,J,K
Delivery of Strategic Objectives -
Lack of resources to deliver transformational
change could lead to a failure to deliver on
strategic outcomes and priorities in the Strategic
Plan and the targets and expectations from the
Scottish Government. The pace of change to re-
design services might not keep up with the
demographic pressures of an ageing population
and the progress with the shift from institutional
and acute care will impact on resources available
for re-designed services.
Inability to engage with the workforce and
communities on the need for change could lead to
reputational damage and the increased fragility of
health and social care services and poorer health
outcomes for local people.
4- Likely 4- Major HIGH 16 ○Locality Planning Groups with agreed terms of reference and
engagement strategy guidelines
○Delivery of the annual Savings Plan with EQIAs produced to
highlight impacts where appropriate
○Medium term budget planning integrated with strategy
development
○Performance reporting to the IJB, including progress against
Health and Wellbeing indicators and MSG targets with actioned
performance management
○Communications and engagement strategy
○Published Annual Performance Report
oMonitoring through Service Transformation Board and Finance
& Policy Cttee with clearly articulated links to Strategic Planning
Group
○Improved governance for IJB  and committees
○SMT reporting structure and links with partner organisations,
including Chief Officer representation on partner senior
management teams
○Engagement with staff representatives
○Clearly articulated  impact on Quality and Performance in all
service redesign plans
3 - Possible 4 - Major HIGH 12 o New Strategic Plan and Commissioning Strategy
consulted widely upon and approved, this re-states and
validates strategic objectives
o Roll out of new Integrated Performance & Reporting
Regime in 2022/23
o Locality Planning Groups
o Review of transformation programme structure and
increased resourcing to projects
o Implementation of new technology
Chief Officer
↔
SSR03
Links to
B,E,G,H,I
Demographic Changes - failure to
implement strategies and actions to address future
demographic challenges of declining population,
reduced working age population and an increase in
the proportion of older people. Failure to
accurately forecast the impact on services
including shifting the balance of care and
implementing new models of care. The population
decline will reduce resources available in future.
This could lead to service failure to meet needs of
service users and deliver against the Strategic Plan
objectives.
4- Likely 4 - Major HIGH 16 ○Strategic Plan and role of Strategic Planning Group
○Incorporation of demographic forecasts into Strategic Planning
and Locality Planning
○Locality Planning Groups to inform service re-designs in each
locality in line with needs of the population
o Strategic Workforce Planning Group established to share data
and good practice and develop 3 year workforce plans
○Demand pressures for services incorporated into budget
process
○National awareness of demographic changes been driver for
change in the way services are delivered
○Ongoing engagement with Community Planning Partners and
joint planning
3 - Possible 4- Major HIGH 12 ○Resourcing and commencement of prevention agenda
and co-production work
○Planning for future workforce demographic changes in
Workforce Plan
oUpdated Adult Health Strategic Needs Assessment
oReview of Transformation and change programme and
re-commencement of transformation activities
Head of Strategic
Planning &
Performance
↔
SSR04
links to J
Governance and Leadership - IJB arrangements
are not conducive to effective working and lead to
poor decision making and lack of strategic
direction.
Reputational damage, lack of confidence in the IJB
and inability to deliver on strategic objectives in a
consistent manner.
3 - Possible 4 - Major HIGH 12 ○Appropriate representation on the IJB.
○Programme of development sessions for IJB members.
○Integration Scheme reviewed March 2021, Strategic Plan,
Standing Orders and Code of Conduct in place.
○Committee structure below IJB, including Audit & Risk
Committee, Clinical and Care Governance Committee, Strategic
Planning Group, and Finance & Policy Committee.
○Internal Audit review of governance arrangements and
recommendations implemented.
○External Audit role
oRegular engagement with Standards Officer
oFull engagement of Board in development of Strategic Plan and
Commissioning Strategy
3 - Possible 3 - Moderate MEDIUM 9 o Development of Code of Corporate Governance to
achieve an holistic approach to the overall Governance of
the IJB and regular review of performance
o implementation of governance improvement actions
and audit recommendations
o Increased stability in senior leadership team
o New Strategic Plan approved and in place
Chief Officer
↓
SSR05
links to G,H
Partnership Working - inadequate
partnership arrangements with all partners
including the Council and Health Board and
commissioned service providers including NHS
GG&C for acute services, the third sector and other
commissioned providers. This would be as a result
of lack of clarity around roles and responsibilities
and the ability of the IJB to articulate
commissioning intentions for all services and
manage these appropriately.
May lead to duplication of effort, poor
relationships and the inability to effectively
negotiate the IJB's position. The partnership may
be viewed as failing or not achieving objectives,
leading to reputational damage and loss of
confidence in IJB and partners. It could also result
in a reductions or loss of services to the
community and failure to exploit opportunities for
joint working, innovation and efficiencies.
4 -Likely 4 - Major HIGH 16 ○Integration Scheme recently reviewed outlining roles and
responsibilities
○Independent scrutiny arrangements in place and work of
internal audit, including assurance mapping.
○Representation on IJB from both partner bodies.
○Clear channels of communication and information sharing
protocols in place
○Chief Officer member of both Council and Health Board Senior
Management Teams and has overall strategic and operational
responsibility for service delivery
○Directions are issued to partners in line with strategic direction
and operational delivery of services.
○Strategic Planning work with Commissioned Service providers
and new Commissioning Strategy
○Third Sector representation on the IJB & commitment to co-
production
oRegular meetings with key partners including NHS GG&C and
Scottish Ambulance Service
3 - Possible 3 - Moderate MEDIUM 9 ○Ongoing work required with NHS GG&C to agree
financial impact of IJB commissioning intentions
○Alignment of roles and responsibilities through the code
of corporate governance and induction training for new
members of the IJB
oApproval of Commissioning Strategy following extensive
consultation with partners
oShift from annual grant funding to longer term contracts
to facilitate longer term security / planning
oResourcing and Commencement  of Prevention and Co-
Production work and activities and integration of these
within Transformation programme
oReinvigoration of locality planning groups and
engagement with the Local Area Group.
Chief Officer
↓
Gross Risk Residual Risk

Page 3

SSR06
links to E,J
Infrastructure and Assets -
Assets remain under the ownership of the Council
and Health Board, there is a risk that these do not
meet the current and future requirements due to
underinvestment in property maintenance,
equipment and ICT or that these are not being
used or managed efficiently and effectively. The IJB
does not have full control/flexibility over the assets
it uses to deliver services.
May result in assets not being maintained /
replaced or being otherwise appropriate to support
the IJB's strategic outcomes and do not enable
efficient, safe and effective service delivery.
Accommodation provided for residential and short
episodes of care result in poorer outcomes.
Properties will fail to meet standards required by
regulators and fail to deliver on carbon reduction
commitments. Equipment will become unreliable
with additional downtime and ICT infrastructure
will not support Digital Transformation ambitions.
4 - Likely 4 - Major HIGH 16 o Progressing  co-location options with Argyll & Bute Council
o Represented on Council and NHS Highland Asset Management
Boards
○ Partnership working to reflect joint planning approach with
membership of both partner asset groups
○ Regular joint infrastructure meetings to support digital service
delivery
4 - Likely 4 - Major HIGH 16 oHSCP Digital / IT strategy now complete help enable TEC
/ remote working
oDevelopment of a strategic approach to the combined
HSCP estate and the identification of priorities for
investment and replacement of infrastructure assets.
oNew Strategic Estates & Sustainability Post
oDetailed review of care home estate and analysis of old
equipment underway
oInsufficient confirmed resource available to enable this
risk to be reduced and increasing demand for space as
services grow and require to relocate due to poor quality
accomodation.
Chief Officer, Head of
Strategic Planning and
Performance, Head of
Finance &
Transformation
↑
SSR07
links to
B,D,E,H
Sustainability of commissioned
service providers - financial and operational
sustainability of care at home and care home
commissioned service providers deteriorates as a
result of financial and workforce pressures.
Market failure would lead to disruption of service,
the implementation of contingency plans,
increased costs and an adverse impact on
individuals and their families. Would also impact
on the ability of the IJB to deliver on the planned
shift in the balance of care.
5 - Almost
Certain
5 -Extreme VERY HIGH
25
○Commissioning team supplier relationship and market
management, including contract management and review
processes and solvency checks as part of contract management
○Additional funding for providers to facilitate the implementation
of wage increases and Fair Work Practices
○Engagement with national work supporting the National Care
Home Contract
oContingency planning in localities for care at home during the
pandemic.  Care Home and Care at Home Assurance Group for
Argyll and Bute (recently amended to encompass care at home)
which looks at identifying and managing daily risks.  
oStrategically the Care Home Programme Board will assist
planning ahead with forecasting demand.
oThere is a Care Home Task Force communicating with
Independent Providers.
○Engagement with national workforce planning and local training
providers around promotion of the caring profession
5 - Almost
Certain
4- Major VERY HIGH 20 ○ Continuing work with providers in partnership
o Ongoing engagement nationally with financial
sustainability plans and consideration of need for further
local support
○ Implementation of Strategic Commissioning Plan based
on Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
o Engagement with key providers and project planning to
address issues as they arise.
o Regular management escalation where issues arise
o Effective use of additional winter planning funding to
try and improve sustainability of providers
o Positive internal audit review provides assurance risk is
being managed appropriately
Heads of Adult Care,
Head of Strategic
Planning and
Performance
↑
SSR08
links to A
Equalities - services are not delivered
in a way that addresses inequalities.
Service users are put at unnecessary risk of harm
and people with poorer life chances may have their
health and wellbeing impacted. Groups with
protected characteristics may be perceived to be
impacted unfairly.
4 - Likely 3- Moderate HIGH 12 ○Equalities Outcomes Framework in place
○Equalities impact considered as part of IJB decision making and
service change.
○Communication with service users as part of implementation of
service change using engagement and communication strategies.
○Adjustments to implementation plans are actioned where
appropriate to mitigate any potential negative impact.
○Service changes not implemented where this would constitute
unlawful discrimination.
3 -Possible 3 - Moderate MEDIUM 9 o EQIA process are improving Chief Officer
↓
SSR09
links to
B.C,D,E,F,I,J
Scottish Government Policies - risk of further
legislative, policy developments or change which
impacts on the IJBs ability to deliver on the
Strategic Plan, examples include Independent
Review of Adult Social Care & National Care
Service, the Living Wage, the Carers Act, and
increased monitoring of performance.
Inability to deliver SG policies alongside the
Strategic Plan and IJB's agreed objectives and the
impact of additional unfunded cost pressures.
5 - Almost
Certain
4 - Major VERY HIGH
20
○Horizon scanning for policy developments through partners and
SMT network groups
○Regular liaison with senior officers in the Scottish Government
and through Cosla Groups
○Respond to Scottish Government information requests on
impact of future policies
○Early impact assessment locally for national policies, including
any impact in budget outlook
○Implement and adopt innovative ways of implementing policies
○Role of Elected Members and IJB members to influence Scottish
Government decision making through political routes
4- Likely 3 - Moderate HIGH 12 o Carers Act officer in post and working on plans to
implement the objectives of the Carers Act
o Engagement in sector developments and networks
relating to the implementation of the National Care
Service
o Engagement continuing through professional networks
to respond to IRASC
o strengthen relationships with Cosla through using our
Board representatives
oSpending Review published in May 22 outlines
prioritisation for Health and Care sector
oEngagement with governement officials including visits
to area and meetings to discuss local impacts of NCS
oInclusion in the GIRFE pathfinder project with SG
Chief Officer
↔
SSR10
links to
B,C,E,H,I,J
Workforce Recruitment and Retention - inability
to recruit and retain the required workforce
because of national workforce challenges and local
challenges particularly in remote and rural areas
and for clinical specialties. This leads to increased
costs from reliance on medical locums and agency
staff, not only for the IJB but also for
commissioned service providers.
Service users needs for particular disciplines or in
particular areas may not be met if workforce is not
in place.
5 - Almost
Certain
5 - Extreme VERY HIGH
25
○Joint and integrated Workforce Plan led by NHS Highland
○Strategic Workforce Planning Group to ensure overall visibility of
recruitment, retention and development challenges across HSCP
○#abplace2b campaign framework for attracting people into area.
abplace2b.com provides information and current vacancies and
signposting to housing and business.
oContingency plans for clinical posts to reduce reliance on locums
oMedical Workforce Productivity work stream led by NHSH
assisting with hard to fill vacancies and recruitment
oService re-designs to plan for changes to services in line with
workforce capacity
oTargets for new Modern Apprentices to reduce average age of
workforce
○Support commissioned service providers with recruitment and
retention, for example supporting implementation of Living
Wage and pay rate increases.
o Links with Open University assisting recruitment of students for
social work and nursing
o Programme for delivering SVQs for social care
o Development and roll out of community team standards
o Detailed data on workforce available to managers
5 - Almost
Certain
4 - Major VERY HIGH 20 ○Finalisation of Workforce Plan to support strategic plan
○Heads of Service and Managers actively engage in
workforce planning
○Explore further opportunities for Growing our Own
including MAs in NHS
○Promote ABC and NHSH as employers of choice and
ensure all vacancies promoted using abplace2b.com.
oContinue to reduce reliance on locum and agency staff
through scrutiny
oEnsure on-going support for CPD
oUtilisation of new funding to increase staffing
oidentification of options within current estate in HSCP to
address housing shortages and progress key worker
housing in partnership with Housing Associations and
potentially Shelter Scotland.
oInternal audit review
oindustrial action remains a high risk and is likely to
impact negatively on workforce retention and
recrutiment
Head of Customer
Support Services /
Head of People,
Planning and Reward
/ People Partner 
↑
SSR11
links to
B,E,F,J,K
Communications and Engagement
with Communities - risk of inadequate
arrangements in place to communicate with wider
communities and partners as a result of gaps
between the IJB requirements and strategic
direction and the expectation of service need from
communities.
Could result in failure to gain community support
for service changes and ineffective partnership
working with communities. Reputational damage
from failure to adequately consult and engage.
Could result in failure to deliver planned change
and transformation projects.
5 - Almost
Certain
4- Major VERY HIGH
20
○Communication and Engagement Strategies
delivered but require to monitor practice through assurance
frameworks.
○Openness and transparency of publicly available information
○Communications events and information widely available to
engage stakeholders in conversations about service changes and
the need for change.
○Engagement with politicians to ensure the Argyll and Bute
position is shared and understood.
○Locality Planning Groups and other forums are used to
communicate with communities and explore new ways of getting
the IJB message across (including MH advocacy groups, carers
centres etc).
○Communication plans developed as part of implementation of
service changes
4- Likely 4- Major HIGH 16 ○Support local ownership of communications and
engagement
○Continue roll out of social media use at a local level
○Ongoing review of Communications and Engagement
Strategy.
o Deliver communication and engagement plans within
guidelines. Ensure conforms to SG guidance "Planning
with People" and standards for community engagement.
oEffective engagement on strategic plan, commissioning
strategy and co-production work.
oLocality Planning groups meeting regularly
Associate Director
Public Health,
Communications
team
↔

Page 4

SSR12
links to
B,E,F,J,K
Workforce Shift - risk that there is not appropriate
engagement with staff groups, particularly over
the need for service changes and the requirement
to work in a different way. There may be
professional concerns about inter-disciplinary
working and cultural barriers will prevent effective
integration.
This would result in poor morale and the failure to
gain staff support for the workforce shift and
culture change required. Resistance from the staff
group would in turn limit the flexibility required to
deploy the workforce in line with changed models
of care, full integration will not be achieved and
teams will be disjointed. Ultimately impacting on
the service provided to communities.
4 - Likely 4 - Major HIGH 16 ○Joint Partnership Forum and Staff side Liaison facilitate
communications and information flow between management to
staff side and Trade Unions
○Communications plan for each service change project, including
staff as stakeholders
○Support from staff side partnership to support staff with new
ways of working with an integrated partnership approach.
○Compliance with terms and conditions of employment for both
staff groups
○Individual staff development plans and training programmes
○Workforce Planning
○Staff surveys used to inform targeted improvement work with
individual teams
o Action plan in response to Sturrock and 6 local culture
workstreams set up and progressing
○Strengthened communication and cascade of information from
Chief Officer
4- Likely 4- Major HIGH 16 oClarity over role and function of teams working in our
communities.OD support will be offered to Area
Managers to support teams.
o ongoing work of the culture and staff wellbeing
workstreams
o development of workforce strategic plan
o increased focus required on progressing with
redeployments of staff who are supernumerary
o development of plans and engagement with staff in
respect of how to invest wellbeing funds in improving
staff wellbeing
Chief Officer
↔
SSR13
links to
A,B,H,J
Safety of Services - inability to maintain the safety
of services due to demographic changes, increasing
need and complexity and the ability to recruit staff,
both for direct employment and for delivery
partners
This may result in harm to service users or
patients, the failure to provide appropriate care
and reputational damage to the IJB and partners.
4-Likely 5 - Extreme VERY HIGH
20
○Clinical and Care Governance Committee and professional
leadership
○Risk Management Strategy recently updated and operational
risk management arrangements
○On-going recruitment, retention and training of staff
○Triggers for service re-designs including ensuring clinical safety is
not compromised
○Prioritisation of need frameworks in place to determine need for
access to services
○Develop and implement contingency arrangements for localities
and services
4-Likely 4- Major HIGH 16 ○ Increased focus on training and development of staff
and improved flexibility
○ Increased engagement with commissioned service
providers
○ New Contingency, Risk and Resilience group
Lead Nurse/Chief
Social Worker
↔
SSR14
links to
A,B,H,I
Waiting Times -failure to meet waiting times
targets and treatment times guarantees for
treatment in specialities in NHS GG&C and
outreach clinics in Argyll and Bute. Waiting times
have already increased due to Covid-19 pandemic
and disruption and pressures within the Health
system continue. 
This would result in a poor level of service for
patients, the potential to have to travel further for
appointments, and is not in line with the
anticipatory and preventative approach to care.
4-Likely 4 - Major HIGH 16 ○ Continued engagement with NHS GG&C to agree a strategic
jointly planned approach to outreach services
○ Monitoring and reporting of waiting times
○ Development of  new delivery models such as specialist nurses,
tele-consultation and direct or follow up referral to primary care
or AHP professionals
○ Offer alternative services to patients
o Plans for use of Waiting List and winter planning funding
4- Likely 4- Major HIGH 16 oInclusion in NHS Highland Remobilisation plan to
request additional funding to redesign services and
address backlog. Initiatives include increasing virtual
clinics/services, digital and appointment modernisation,
enhanced role of AHPs and waiting times initiatives
additional clinics. Cover mental health, CAMHS, Acute
and AHPs
oThe development of Near Me and Outreach Clinics
needs further scoped across all sites/clinics following the
pandemic.
oEvidence of continuing disruption to services and
staffing shortages throughout local and national
healthcare system continuing to make it challenging to
address increased waiting times. This is a serious
national issue at present
Heads of Service
↑
SSR15
links to
A,B,C,D,E,F,
G,H,I,J,K
Support Services - risk that support services do not
adequately support front line service delivery.
Inability to integrate support services which are
not fully delegated to the IJB, including IT, HR,
Finance, Governance, Communications,
Improvement & Performance, Procurement and
Commissioning, Legal Services etc. Continued
reliance on two systems, processes and
approaches may lead to confusion and ongoing
inefficiency. Risk that partners will not support
changes to current arrangements.
Could adversely affect services experienced by
patients and service users if support services
cannot fully support front line services. Wasteful
duplication and inefficient use of resource.
4-Likely 4- Major HIGH 16 ○Range of system workarounds in place to ensure business as
usual
○Co-location of staff
○Some IT systems integrated and further plans to review this and
to facilitate access to joint systems
oRollout of MS Teams - IT services and remote working are much
improved as a result
o Committee support arrangements in place
o Continuous improvement in support service provision
4- Likely 4- Major HIGH 16 ○Replacement programmes for new systems Social work,
Hospital Telecoms, and portal (link systems) funded and
in place.
oOffice 365 implementation
○Development of corporate services agreement with
partners
o Need to improve HR support for recruitment processes
where lengthy delays are being experienced
Heads of Service
↔
SSR16
links to
A,B,C,D,E,F,
G,H,I,J,K
New General Medical Services
Contract - risk that the HSCP are not in a position
to appropriately support the implementation of
the new GP contract as a result of the availability
of funding and capacity for the HSCP to deliver
services transferred from GPs. Higher risk of
implementation specifically across remote and
rural areas.
Could adversely affect services experienced by
patients as gaps in service may arise.  Potential for
negative impact  on relationships with Primary
Care - who are key to delivery of services within our
local hospitals
4-Likely 4 - Major HIGH 16 ○Ongoing collaboration between the HSCP and Primary Care to
support practices
oNationally agreed extension of 1 year for delivery
○Primary Care Modernisation Board with priorities established
and  Programme Manager in place until Autumn 2021
○Regular updates on progress to Transformation Board and the
IJB, constructive progress being made pharmacotherapy,
physiotherapy and mental health workstreams
4- Likely 4- Major HIGH 16 ○New Head of Primary Care in place to add management
capacity.
oEngagement with Scottish Government in respect of
funding to enable permanent workforce structures to be
developed and implemented and agreement of some
concessions within Argyll and Bute
oreduced financial support for primary care improvement
increasing this risk
Associate Medical
Director
↑
SSR17
links to
A,B,C,D,E,F,
G,H,I,J,K
Business Continuity and resilience risks including
responding to Emergencies
Adversely affecting service delivery and waiting
times performance, and ability to deliver planned
transformation
4 - Likely 5 - Extreme VERY HIGH
20
oRegular testing of emergency scenarios
oResponse to Covid-19 pandemic
5 - Almost
Certain
4- Major VERY HIGH 20 oDigital / IT & Telecoms  infrastructure enhanced
2021/22 - Additional SWAN network and replacement
hospital telephone system by June 2021
oContingency, Risk and Resilience Management group
established including representation from partners
opercieved risk of widespread energy sytem outages
during winter 22-23
oon going high demand for services combined with
workforce issues and potential winter pressures make
this a red risk at present.
All SLT
↑
SSR18
links to
A,B,C,D,E,F,
G,H,I,J,K
Covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses- risks of
further waves of covid and other infections with
more people becoming ill and requiring health care
Adversely affecting service delivery and waiting
times performance, and ability to deliver planned
transformation. Risk would result on further
pressure on available workforce.
5 - Almost
Certain
5 - Extreme VERY HIGH
25
o there is an effective vaccination programme in place and  we
follow public health guidance and evidence that.
o experience and project planning of previous mobilisation from
first and second waves
5 - Almost
Certain
4-Major VERY HIGH 20 oContinuing evidence of covid related absence and
disruption as cases require careful management resulting
in disruption and closure of services
All SLT
↓
SSR19
links to
A,B,C,D,E,F,
G,H,I,J,K
Culture - risks from impact of negative reports
around organisational culture following Sturrock
report
Adverse impact on reputation and ability to recruit. 
Also impacts on service delivery if teams are
unhappy or short staffed as a consequence
4-Likely 5 - Extreme VERY HIGH
20
o Culture Oversight Board and local A&B Culture Group in place
with 6 workstreams
o Whistleblowing process in operation
o Guardian Service in operation - independent and confidential
o extensive roll out of courageous conversations training
3 - Possible 3 - Moderate MEDIUM 9 o continued work of A&B Culture Group and associated
workstreams
o need to ensure that it covers whole of HSCP including
social care
Chief Officer
↓

Page 5

SSR20 Statutory/Mandatory Training - risk that
patient / service user harm could result
directly from, or be attributed to, a failure to
comply with statutory and mandatory
training requirements. This could result in
harm to an individual or group of service
users, members of staff and could result in
financial claims and reputational damage.
Adverse effect on quality and safety of care
and service delivery.
-Potential to result in Adverse Events with
harm to service users and staff which
could result in civil claims being made with
a risk of high financial cost.
-Potential for enforcement action being
taken against the HSCP by the HSE with
severe financial and reputational
consequence
5-Almost certain 5- Extreme VERY HIGH
25
- Stat/Man training policy in place.
-Training programmes in place via on-line training and face to
face
-Induction programme
3-Possible 5- Extreme HIGH 15 •	Head of Service/senior managers to compile service
improvement plans with local delivery based on
individual service position.  Specific plans put in place for
online training and for face to face training.
•	Heads of Service to ensure there is a regular forum for
reviewing the plan, ensuring implementation and
escalating barriers.
•	All staff to receive a communication from the Chief
Officer on responsibilities for undertaking mandatory
training.
•	Managers to ensure that they are up to date with their
own training.
•	Managers to monitor compliance, support staff to
access computers and have time to bring their
mandatory training up to date.
•	Managers to support staff who are falling behind with
their compliance with mandatory training and follow up
until the training has been completed.
•	The actions outlined above will be progressed and there
will be an Argyll and Bute HSCP-wide review to examine
the position. An action plan will then be drawn up to
support employees to complete. 
•	The Strategic Leadership Team will review compliance
performance regularly.
Chief Officer
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SSR21 Vaccine Delivery - Whilst responsibility
for the delivery of the vaccination
programme sits with NHS Highland, there
is a risk that locally the vaccine programme
may not be delivered as quickly as
communities and government wish,
-Reputational damage may arise as a
result of the local management of the
vaccination programme
-communities may not benefit from the
impact of the vaccination programme to
the maximum possible extent
4-Likely 4 - Major HIGH 16 oEngagement with Highland Health Board to ensure that the
vaccination is programme is delivered as quickly and efficiently as
possible
oRecruitment of vaccination staff on a permanent basis
oEffective communication with local communities
3-Possible 4 - Major HIGH 12 oPermanent recruitment of vaccination staff
oGood local performance levels to date
Extended messaging on all vaccination programmes for
all ages
Chief Officer
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SSR 22 Climate Change - risk that the HSCP will
not achieve the climate change
decarbonisation and emissions targets set
for it. This is likely to result in reputational
damage at both a community and political
level as well as a financial cost.
-Perception that the HSCP is not fully
committed to delivering on the Scottish
Government Climate Change targets as a
result of lack of capital and revenue
funding or management capacity to
prioritise this work.
4-Likely 3- Moderate HIGH 12 oOn-going engagement and participation  with A&B council, NHS
Highland  and Scottish Government  partners in respect of all
health and care areas producing CO2 emissions including 
procurement decisions, estate, travel and transport. Services
provided by the HSCP.                                                                       -
Access to funding revenue and capital to undertake CO2
reduction projects e.g. zero emission NHS fleet by 2025
4-Likely 3- Moderate HIGH 12 oParticipation and inclusion in NHS and Council project to
address climate crisis.
oDevelopment of  capital and revenue investment plans
in  HSCP, Argyll and Bute Council and NHS Highland .
oLocal projects underway, climate change report
submitted and potential for case study
oNew Estates and Sustainability post includes
responsibility for aspects of this.
Head of Strategy,
Planning,
Performance and
Technology
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SSR 23 Socio-Economic Situation - multiple
risks relating to the current socio economic
situation. Risk is driven by direct and
indirect implications of high inflation,
expected increase in poverty, increasing
interest rates and tightening public funding
position.
Consequences may include:
-increased staff and non-staff costs
reducing real terms values of budget and
reserves.
-potential for strike action within HSCP,
partners and in other services and
industries.
-additional service demand arising from
cost of living crisis, increased poverty
levels, increased pressure on mental
health services may be a particular
pressure.
-shortages of supplies and services which
could include supplies of drugs and other
critical supplies and care provision.
4-Likely 5 - Extreme VERY HIGH
20
o recognition that this is a national socio-economic issues and
local mitigations and influence is limited
o resilience and contingency planning
o remobilisation of services
o involvement in sector discussions in respect of strike
exemptions
o may need to consider prioritisation of services and resources
4-Likely 5 - Extreme VERY HIGH 20 o HSCP planning sensitive to issues facing local
communities
o awareness of pressures and careful financial and
service planning to mitigate impact particularly on most
vulnerable
o largely outwith the control of the HSCP
Chief Officer & SLT
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Deleted Risk
Service Delivery - ineffective leadership and
management of services and resources
Patients and service users receive poor service. 
Fail to meet agreed performance levels.
4-Likely 4 - Major HIGH 16 ○ Clinical and Care Governance Framework and Committee in
place to hold to account the quality of existing services
o Professional representation at SMT and the IJB
○ Role of Chief Social Work Officer
○ Performance management framework and service delivery
plans  ensure a focus on performance and achievement of
strategic objectives with regular reporting to IJB.
3 - Possible 3 -Moderate MEDIUM 9 ○ New Integrated Performance Management regime in
process of delivery
○Performance reporting maintained
Chief Officer
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Risk Matrix
Risk Rare                (1) Unlikely        (2) Possible        (3) Likely              (4) Almost Certain       
(5)
Extreme            (5) MEDIUM 5 HIGH 10 HIGH 15 VERY HIGH 20 VERY HIGH 25
Major                        
(4) MEDIUM 4 MEDIUM 8 HIGH 12 HIGH 16 VERY HIGH 20
Moderate                
(3) LOW 3 MEDIUM 6 MEDIUM 9 HIGH 12 HIGH 15
Minor                        
(2) LOW 2 LOW 4 MEDIUM 6 MEDIUM 8 HIGH 10
Insignificant           
(1) LOW 1 LOW 2 LOW 3 MEDIUM 4 MEDIUM 5
Table 1 Assessment of likelihood
Score Description
1 Rare
2 Unlikely
3 Possible
4 Likely
5 Almost Certain
Table 2 Assessment of Impact
Descriptor Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Extreme
Score 1 2 3 4 5
Patient
Experience
Reduced quality of
patient experience /
clinical outcome not
directly related to
delivery of clinical
care.
Unsatisfactory
patient
experience /
clinical outcome
directly related to
care provision –
readily resolvable.
Unsatisfactory
patient experience /
clinical outcome,
short term effects –
expect recovery
<1wk.
Unsatisfactory
patient experience /
clinical outcome:
long term effects –
expect recovery -
>1wk.
Unsatisfactory
patient experience /
clinical outcome:
continued ongoing
long term effects.
Injury (physical
and
psychological)
to patient /
visitor / staff.
Adverse event
leading to minor
injury not requiring
first aid
Minor injury or
illness, first aid
treatment
required
Agency reportable,
e.g. Police (violent
and aggressive acts)
Significant injury
requiring medical
treatment and/or
counselling.
Major injuries/long
term incapacity or
disability (loss of
limb) requiring
medical treatment
and/or counselling.
Incident leading to
death or major
permanent
incapacity.
Complaints/
Claims
Locally resolved
verbal complaint
Justified written
complaint
peripheral to
clinical care.
Below excess claim.
Justified complaint
involving lack of
appropriate care.
Claim above excess
level. Multiple
justified complaints.
Multiple claims or
single major claim.
Complex justified
complaint.
Strong possibility that this could happen again
This is expected to frequently happen again – more likely to re-occur than not
LIKELIHOOD
IMPACT
Chance of Occurrence
Can’t believe this event would happen again – will only happen in exceptional
circumstances
Not expected to happen again, but definite potential exists
Has happened before on occasions – reasonable chance of re-occurring

Page 7

Staffing and
Competence
Short term low
staffing level
temporarily reduces
service quality (<
than 1 day). Short
term low staffing
level (> 1 day),
where there is no
disruption to patient
care.
Ongoing low
staffing level
reduces service
quality. Minor
error due to
ineffective
training/
implementation of
training.
Late delivery of key
objective / service
due to lack of staff.
Moderate error due
to ineffective
training/implementati
on of training.
Ongoing problems
with staffing levels.
Uncertain delivery of
key objective /
service due to lack
of staff.  Major error
due to ineffective
training/implementati
on of training.
Non-delivery of key
objective / service
due to lack of staff.
Loss of key staff.
Critical error due to
ineffective
training/implementat
ion of training.
Financial
(including
damage/ loss/
fraud)
Negligible
organisational/
personal financial
loss (< £1k) (NB.
Please adjust for
context)
Minor
organisational/per
sonal financial
loss (£1-10k).
Significant
organisational
/personal financial
loss (£10-100k).
Major organisational/
personal financial
loss (£100k - £1m).
Severe
organisational/
personal financial
loss (>£1m).
Adverse
Publicity /
Reputation
Rumours, no media
coverage. Little
effect on staff
morale
Local media
coverage – short
term. Some public
embarrassment.
Minor effect on
staff morale /
public attitudes.
Local media – long-
term adverse
publicity. Significant
effect on staff
morale and public
perception of the
organisation
National media /
adverse publicity,
less than 3 days.
Public confidence in
the organisation
undermined. Use of
services affected
National /
International media /
adverse publicity,
more than 3 days.
MSP / MP concern
(Questions in
Parliament). Court
Enforcement. Public
Enquiry/ FAI.