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Galbraith announces successful applications for partnership funding
29/06/1998
Scottish Health and Social Work Minister Sam Galbraith today announced £1.7 million support for the first round of successful applications under the Mental Health Development Fund and the Local Care Partnerships Scheme. Both initiatives are designed to support innovation in partnership working for vulnerable individuals and groups.
The 118 applications received were considered by a Partnership Panel within The Scottish Office and 30 were approved for funding from nearly £10m of new money set aside for this purpose.
Mr Galbraith said:
"The whole idea of these initiatives is to encourage and reward innovation and the breaking down of barriers between care agencies in the organisation and delivery of care to those with a mental illness and other vulnerable individuals.
"I am encouraged by the range and quality of the bids and the willingness shown by all concerned not only to challenge existing work practices but also to work together to change for the better.
"We are building towards a comprehensive partnership approach in Scotland. I am delighted to allocate an initial £1.7m from the £10m of new money over the next three years to these first 30 schemes from across Scotland. That is a very encouraging first step toward that aim."
BACKGROUND
1. The Mental Health Development Fund (MHDF) invited bids designed to help with the implementation of local strategies arising from the Framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland.
2. The aim is to encourage the development of local community-focused comprehensive services for those with mental health problems. The Fund provides pump-priming funding to help Health Boards develop new ways of joint working with GPs, NHS Trusts, local authorities and other statutory and voluntary agencies in this shared task. Bids for funding were required to demonstrate a clear link with a published, locally agreed mental health strategy. £9 million over three years is available.
The aim of the Local Care Partnerships Scheme (LCPS) is to help Health Boards and the other relevant agencies remove administrative or other barriers to effective and efficient local integration of health, housing and social care services in the community and to ensure that the lessons learnt from successful schemes are disseminated more widely. £500,000 is available for distribution over two years.
3. A "Partnership Panel", comprising representation from Health, Social Work Services Group, Social Work Services Inspectorate and Housing within The Scottish Office considered the applications received under both arrangements.
4. Further awards will be made in due course from the new £10m resources set aside for this purpose.
News Release: 1352/98
29 June, 1998