Positive first year for Moray’s integrated Health and Social Care body

Varis Court opened last year

AN ANNUAL REPORT has been highlighting the achievements produced by the Moray Integration Joint Board in its first year of operation.

Published earlier this week the report features the effort that is now under way to improve health and wellbeing of adults throughout Moray.

The partnership working between Moray Council and NHS Grampian has included a progressive partnership achieved with Hanover Housing to create the Varis Court development for older people in Forres – which includes dementia and extra care facilities providing close to home nursing care.

Construction has also been completed on a £2.5million housing development in Lhanbryde that will in due course support adults with severe learning disabilities to live more independently. Additionally, a row of vacant cottages in Elgin has been transformed into half-way homes where people leaving hospital can work on regaining their independent living skills.

Christine Lester, MIJB Chair, said the board was proud of what had been achieved in the first 12 months: “Delivering the best possible health and social care service is at the very core of our Integration Joint Board – we are person-centred and are determined to make sure people’s voices are heard and their needs are met.

“The integration landscape has proved challenging and it will continue to be so in the near future. We are certain we will face difficult decisions to ensure our resources are used effectively and efficiently.

“However, the opportunity is great and we now have an excellent base on which to build a truly excellent community-focused health and social care system.”

Pam Gowans, Chief Officer of Health and Social Care Moray, said: “We are focused on improving health and wellbeing as well as delivering high quality care for the people of Moray.

“There are areas where performance is particularly positive and we aim to maintain this. For those areas where there is still work to be done, we are taking stock of our next steps.

“Finances are tight and challenging and there is a need for us to ensure we are working with people in our communities so everyone has a chance to influence decisions.”

The Board has responsibility for a budget of £114 million with which to undertake the planning, resourcing and overseeing of the operational delivery of integrated services.

Visit the Health & Social Care Moray website to download the report. Contact 01343 567187 or involvement@moray.gov.uk to request a printed copy.