Argyll & Bute HSCP Joint Strategic Plan 2026 - 2031
Argyll and Bute Council · 11 June 2026
Back to Argyll and Bute HSCP Strategic Planning Group — 11 June 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
1 Report to: Strategic Planning Group Title of report: Argyll & Bute HSCP Joint Strategic Plan 2026 – 2031 Presented by: Kristin Gillies Date: 11 June 2026 The Strategic Planning Group is asked to: ▪ Note the final Argyll & Bute (A&B) Joint Strategic Plan for 2026 – 2031 which was presented and approved by the Integrated Joint Board (IJB) on 27 May 2026. 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 Argyll and Bute Strategic Planning Group is asked to note the final draft of the A&B HSCP Joint Strategic Plan (JSP) to cover the period April 2026 to March 2031 which has been updated following editorial and Integrated Joint Board comments and was presented to and approved by IJB on 27 May 2026 1.2 The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 places a duty on Integration Joint Boards to develop a JSP for integrated functions and budgets that they control, reviewing the plan at least every three years. 1.3 The JSP is a high level strategy which sets out our vision, strategic objectives and priorities. The JSP also includes the commissioning intentions and key market messages, linked to the priorities. 1.4 The JSP was developed over the last two years by the planning team, the Strategic Planning Group (SPG) and Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The draft priorities for consultation were agreed in August 2026. 1.5 The priorities and commissioning intentions were published for consultation, using NHS Highland Engagement Hub, from 10 October to 10 January 2026 and public engagement events took place over this time. 1.6 The draft JSP was presented to SPG on 12 March 2026 and agreement given for a graphic designer to be appointed. 1.7 The formatted final draft of the JSP was reviewed by IJB in April 2026 through a development session to ensure that the content is fully approved. 1.8 The final and fully formatted version was presented to and approved by IJB on 27 May 2026 with publication and communications taking place that day.
Page 2
2 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 The SPG is asked to note the final Argyll & Bute (A & B) Joint Strategic Plan for 2026 – 2031 which was presented and approved by the Integrated Joint Board (IJB) on 27 May 2026. 3. DETAIL OF THE REPORT 3.1 The HSCP is responsible for the planning and delivery of high quality health and social care services to and in partnership with the communities of Argyll and Bute to achieve the National Health and Wellbeing Outcomes (NHWBO) and the Children and Young People Outcomes. In order to achieve this the HSCP has agreed to develop a five year Joint Strategic Plan setting out the vision, strategic objectives, priorities and actions within a national and local policy framework. 3.2 The methodology used for the JSP was agreed by the SPG and a project plan was developed in April 2025, then updated and further agreed in June 2025. SLT held a number of meetings to establish six high level priorities for the next five years. 3.3 The priorities were underpinned by the challenging financial constraints over this time as well as being informed by national drivers including the population health framework which aims to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities through a collaborative, whole systems approach, and the NHS Operational Improvement Plan. The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) and Housing Contribution Statement (HCS) were published in early 2025. 3.4 The priorities put forward are: • Financial and System Sustainability • Preventative and Community Based Care • Integrated and Person Centred Care • Our Health and Social Care Staff • Access and Tackling Health Inequality • Digital Transformation 3.5 The draft JSP was published on the NHS Highland Engagement Hub alongside a questionnaire asking the public and staff what their views were of the priorities and some key questions asking how people keep themselves well. An Engagement report was provided to SPG and SLT for approval and the JSP was updated accordingly. 3.6 Community events took place across all of the localities in October and early November. This included Islay, Dunoon, Helensburgh, Rothesay, Campbeltown, Oban and Lochgilphead. The event at Mull had to be postponed due to travel disruption and an online event was scheduled. The public were asked the same questions as were on the questionnaire with richer facilitated discussions. 3.7 A further questionnaire was developed to ask our independent, third sector and commissioned services their views on the Commissioning Intentions. 3.8 The Planet Youth Young People Conference was attended by Planning and questions on health and wellbeing were incorporated into the facilitated discussions. Young Carers groups facilitated discussions on what was important to them.
Page 3
3 3.9 The JSP recognises the importance of effective strategic planning in a collaborative way with our planning partners, our staff, our commissioned services and our wider communities. All engagement on the JSP has been summarised in the main document and full reports are available as appendices. There is also recognition that we align to national and local policies and take cognisance of our Joint Strategic Needs Assessment which is published on the HSCP website. 3.10 Our vision and priorities will guide our work over the next five years. The JSP reflects our determination to deliver better lives through better services, even in the face of financial constraints. By aligning our priorities with Scotland’s financial realities, we will build a resilient, inclusive and future-ready health and social care system. In doing so, we will keep services safe and sustainable for the future. 4. RELEVANT DATA AND INDICATORS 4.1 There is a significant volume of data and intelligence within the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. 5. CONTRIBUTION TO STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 5.1 The Joint Strategic Plan sets out the strategic priorities. 6 GOVERNANCE IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Financial Impact The strategy has the aim to improve financial performance of the HSCP 6.2 Staff Governance There are no direct impacts from the documents. Individual projects and programmes covered by the strategy may have staff governance implications. 6.3 Clinical Governance There is no direct impact on existing clinical and care governance arrangement. Individual projects and programmes covered by the strategy may have clinical governance implications. 7. PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY 7.1 Oversight of the HSCP’s approach to communication and engagement is provided by the Senior Leadership Team and the Strategic Planning Group with leadership from the Associate Director of Public Health for analysis. 8. EQUALITY & DIVERSITY IMPLICATIONS An Integrated Impact Assessment has been developed for the JSP 9 PUBLIC & USER INVOLVEMENT & ENGAGEMENT Full public engagement took place and is summarised in the JSP and engagement reports will be included in the appendices to the JSP. 10. GENERAL DATA PROTECTION PRINCIPLES COMPLIANCE There are no direct GDPR implications from the JSP. 11. RISK ASSESSMENT
Page 4
4 The JSP addresses the HSCPs strategic risks. Meaningful implementation of the JSP and progress towards key actions from the strategy is a key challenge for the HSCP. 12. PUBLIC & USER INVOLVEMENT & ENGAGEMENT The HSCP’s approach to engagement is overseen by a Strategic Engagement Reference Group with membership from Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the TSI, the IJB, NHS Highland’s communications team and community representatives. 13.CONCLUSIONS The HSCP recognises the importance of effective strategic planning in a collaborative way with our planning partners, our staff, our commissioned services and our wider communities. There is also recognition that we align to national and local policies and take cognisance of our Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. We recognise that services developed and delivered in a co-productive way are more effective at meeting the needs of the people who use these services. To this end SPG are asked to note and acknowledge the work on the development our next five year Joint Strategic Plan. 14. DIRECTIONS Directions required to Council, NHS Board or both. Directions to: tick No Directions required Argyll & Bute Council NHS Highland Health Board Argyll & Bute Council and NHS Highland Health Board X 15. REPORT AUTHOR AND CONTACT Author Name Anke Roexe/Alison Ryan Email Anke.Roexe@nhs.scot 16. APPENDICES Argyll & Bute HSCP Joint Strategic Plan 2026 to 2031