Widespread consultation in Moray over plans to introduce a new integrated healthcare model in the region are being welcomed by leading politicians.
Integration of health and social care services in Moray follows legislation passed in the Scottish Parliament – and as part of the process the Scottish Government has set out clear requirements for consultation in each region.
A series of consultation meetings hosted by Moray Council and NHS Grampian will be held throughout Moray from next week.
Moray’s MSP has confirmed that he has already held talks discussing progress of the integration plans with Pam Gowans, who is the Chief Officer responsible for the new integrated services in Moray, and NHS Grampian Board member Christine Lester.
Richard Lochhead MSP said: “I welcome the commitment to extensive consultation on how integrated services will be designed.
“Integration of Health and Social Care Services on this scale is unprecedented and has the potential to be transformational in the way people receive care.
“Pretty much everyone at some time or other will rely on these services and it is hugely important that as many people as possible get involved with the consultation process and help to shape the services they will be using during their lives.
“An aging population combined with long-term pressure on public service budgets and changes to health and social care practices and expectations mean that we need to radically change how these services are organised. I would encourage anyone with an interest in the delivery of these services to attend their local session and have their views heard.”
Elgin Councillor Patsy Gowans, who is the SNP opposition spokesperson on Health and Social Care Services at Moray Council, added: “The integration of Health and Social Care services in Moray is of critical importance for both patients reliant on these services and for the hard-working staff who deliver them.
“We all know about the growing pressures on the Health and Social Care sector, as people live longer and require different types of support and it is vital that services change and adapt to these circumstances.
“Big changes like this, however, need lots of feedback to ensure the changes are for the best and benefit service users and staff alike. I would urge folk to get involved and share their experience to date and their views about the future shape of health and social care provision in Moray.”
Consultation Dates and Venues
Further details on the draft integration scheme can be found online.
The dates and venues for consultation meetings arranged so far are:
- 8 January – Dufftown Surgery, Dufftown from 2pm to 3pm
- 12 January – Fleming Hospital, Aberlour from 2.30pm to 4pm
- 13 January – Seafield Health Centre, Buckie from 1pm to 2pm
- 14 January – Linkwood Medical Practice, Elgin from noon to 2pm
- 20 January – Library Foyer, Elgin from 12noon to 2pm
- 26 January – Town Hall, Elgin from 7pm to 9pm
- 27 January – Longmore Hall, Keith from 7pm to 9pm
- 29 January – Community Centre, Forres from 7pm to 9pm
- 2 February – Moray Coast Medical Practice, Lossiemouth from 1pm to 2pm