Last year the Scottish Government published their plans on developing a NEW integrated health and social care strategy for Scotland. According to the feedback they received the plans have a lot of support: Strong Support for National Care Service

A consultation has been launched by the Scottish Government to look in more detail at developing the strategy for older people. The Covid-19 pandemic and the appalling number of deaths in Care Homes across Scotland highlighted the mixed bag of care delivered: local authority funded, private, third sector, and the thousands of family members who are carers.

Further information: click on the links

Read the consultation paper

Easyread version

BSL Version

The Scottish Government also intends talking to the people and organisation involved through a series of events and meetings. If you would like to host an event : olderpeopleshealthstrategy@gov.scot

“It is important for everyone in Scotland that we make sure our health and social care services are delivering for older people so that we can grow older healthier and live independently.  Hearing the views of a wide range of people will therefore be an important part of developing this new strategy.“

Link to consultation: Health and Social Care Strategy for Older People

The consultation is seeking views on a broad range of issues, including:

• The impact the pandemic has had on accessing mental health services and how best to improve access to mental health services for older people
• When is a good time to have difficult discussions about planning future care needs and who should be involved?
• What could be done to improve joint working between health and social care services?
• What support would help in self-managing general health or any long term health conditions?
• How to make it easier for older people to access leisure facilities
• When thinking about palliative and end of life care in Scotland, what is working well and what end of life care and support would people want?