The Scottish Government

A new group to look into the effective delivery of community care in Scotland was launched today by Scottish Health Minister Susan Deacon.

The Joint Future Group will begin work early in the New Year to identify a range of joint working and funding issues including looking into the charging for personal care at home..

Ms Deacon has asked Deputy Minister for Community Care Iain Gray to chair the new group which brings together representatives from local authorities and the health service.

The group's main aims will be to build on lessons learned from a Health and Social Care seminar for local authority and health service leaders last month and to encourage effective joint working between agencies.

Ms Deacon said:

"I'm delighted to be able to announce the remit and membership of this new group just as we are about to enter a new Millennium. If we are to build and develop a system of responsive and accessible community care services fit for Scotland in the 21 ^st century we have to work together.

"These services have to be designed around the needs of the individual rather than the convenience of those delivering the care. This group will look at ways of improving joint working between different agencies in a bid to make sure we have first class modern services delivered where and when people need them.

"It will also look at charging for personal care at home and provide proposals in time for the next spending review.

Home is where most people want to stay. We are determined to make that a real option for more people by ensuring the support and help is there for them.

"The members of the Joint Future Group will bring a wealth of experience to the task they have been set and under Iain Gray's leadership I am sure they will prove highly effective ."

BACKGROUND

1. The creation of the Joint Future Group was first announced by Deputy Minister for Community Care Iain Gray during a Parliamentary debate on December 2 1999 and follows discussions with CoSLA and also a Health and Social Care seminar for leaders of local authorities and the health service on November 5
2. The group will be chaired by Mr Gray and will include the following as members:

• Councillor Rita Miller, chair of CoSLA's Social Work Chairs network and of South Ayrshire's Social Work Committee and;
• Oonagh Aitken, Chief Executive of CoSLA;
• Margaret Wells, Director of Social Work and Housing at Aberdeenshire;
• Heather Sheerin, Chair of Highland Primary Care Trust;
• Tim Davidson, Chief Executive of Glasgow Primary Care Trust and
• Linda Pollock, Director of Nursing at Lothian Primary Care Trust.

News Release: SE1793/1999
29 Dec 1999