With links between health services and social care provision seldom out of the news these days, agencies in Shetland have been planning a way forward.
Cecil Smith, Chair of the Shetland Islands Council's Social Services Committee said: “We are at the culmination of a great deal of work to bring the health and social care services of the Council and NHS Shetland closer together, in response to recent changes in legislation. The changes will help us to continue to develop health and care services locally to meet the needs of our community at a time when the economic pressures and the increasing demands from an ageing population pose particular challenges for both agencies.”
As a result of this integration, services will be more flexible and better co-ordinated. There will be more information for anyone accessing services and it should be easier to know whom to contact for any particular service.
The Shetland public is now being invited to comment on the outcome of the discussions and the documents containing the new proposals are, of course, also available to anyone outwith Shetland who is working in this field or who may be thinking of making a move to the islands.