28 July 2017

The Scottish Borders Health and Social Care Partnership is holding a consultation on health and social care locality plans which have been developed for Berwickshire, Cheviot, Eildon, Teviot & Liddesdale and Tweeddale.

The locality plans focus on recommendations from the Partnership's Strategic Plan and the way health and social care services will be delivered across the five localities during 2017-19 in response to:

  • increasing demand for services due to a rise in the population over 65 years of age
  • increasing pressure on resources due to the rise in demand
  • changing service user expectations and the desire to improve the health and social care experience

Working groups from each locality, made up of key local representatives - including health and social care professionals, members of the third and independent sectors, housing specialists, service users and carers - have made a significant contribution to the development of the five Locality Plans.

Elaine Torrance, Chief Officer Health and Social Care Integration, said: "We are delighted that we now have the opportunity to seek further feedback from residents and communities across all five localities on our proposals for priorities identified to deliver health and social care services as a local level.

"It is important that local people, particularly service users, carers and health and social care professionals, have the opportunity to influence and inform service planning and I would ask all interested parties to consider these proposals carefully and provide their feedback."

The formal consultation period will run from Monday 17 July to Saturday 16 September 2017.

The locality plans and response surveys are avialable at the Scottish Borders Council website.

Summary paper copies will also be available in libraries, Council contact centres, health centres and hospitals, or from the Health and Social Care Integration Team on 01835 825080 or at integration@scotborders.gov.uk

The outcome of the consultation will be presented to the Health and Social Care Integration Joint Board on Monday 26 September 2017.