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Modernising community care: an action plan

 

Foreword by Sam Galbraith and Calum MacDonald
This action plan identifies important changes in the way we should provide community care in future. Its main aims are to secure:
  • better and faster results for people by focusing on them and their needs; and
  • more effective and efficient joint working based on partnership.
Within that broad framework we plan to modernise community care by moving:
  • from 'service-driven' to 'needs-led' approaches;
  • from rigid 'traditional' services to flexible 'modern' services;
  • from doing things to people to doing things with and for them; and
  • from 'processes' to 'results'.
We need new relationships between organisations based on trust, openness and a shared desire to achieve common goals. Above all, we want to see a 'can do' approach which emphasises what can be achieved rather than what cannot.
We have consciously set an agenda for change which focuses on a relatively small number of key activities. We believe we can achieve substantial and measurable change in these activities in the short to medium term. The action plan is in two parts.
  • The first part sets out practical action now to improve services.
  • The second part deals with improvements in the slightly longer term.
As a result of this action plan we expect the following.
Better and faster decision-making, by:
  • delegating decision-making and budgets;
  • streamlining management and transferring resources to front-line services; and
  • improving partnerships between agencies.
People to be cared for at home wherever possible, by:
  • shifting the balance from institutional forms of care to caring for people at home;
  • developing more flexible home care services and suitable housing; and
  • encouraging health and social care services to work side by side in the community.
A new emphasis on working better in localities, by:
  • developing more and better targeted services;
  • planning and delivering services based on the needs of each locality; and
  • developing new approaches to the way services are managed and delivered, based on local partnerships.
We will lead the new agenda for change, help statutory organisations to achieve their goals and monitor progress against targets. In return we expect local authorities and their partners to demonstrate that they are using the considerable existing and further resources provided by the Comprehensive Spending Review for the next three years to improve and modernise community care services.
To help achieve these changes we need some extra flexibility and more incentives within the present financial arrangements. We will target some social work resources on authorities who are:
  • shifting the balance of care;
  • developing more flexible home care services; and
  • working in partnerships.
We will do this by inviting bids for funding based on firm proposals for change.
Our new financial approach will reward progress towards the goals set out in this document. We will introduce the new arrangements in 1999-2000. And at first they will last for three years. We will then review them.
We believe these changes will transform both the way community care is managed and the services themselves. They will provide the kind of services vulnerable people need, want and deserve. We are aware that they pose a great challenge, but we believe all the agencies involved share our commitment to meeting that challenge squarely and successfully across Scotland.

Sam Galbraith photo

calum macdonald photo

sam galbraith signature

calum macdonald signature

Mr Sam Galbraith MP
The Scottish Office
Health Minister

Mr Calum MacDonald MP
The Scottish Office
Housing Minister

 

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