Council debates how best to oversee health and social care services

Orkney Islands Council has set out its preferred model for the future management of health and social care services in the county.

At a meeting of the full council on Friday, elected members favoured the setting up of a joint board – with representatives from the local authority and NHS Orkney — to oversee health and social care services.

The Scottish Government requires all local authorities and health boards to look at how integrated arrangements should operate from April 2015 onwards.

The two organisations already work together as Orkney Health and Care to provide a range of social and health care services.

OIC convener, Councillor Steven Heddle said: “Our aim is to build on this experience to develop arrangements for the future that work best for the people of the county – and cause least disruption for staff and those using the service.

“We have had a number of positive joint discussions with NHS Orkney and these will continue as we seek jointly agreed arrangements for managing health and care services in Orkney.

“In any negotiation it is good to have a preferred position. The model we favour would ensure that elected members, along with health board members, continue to have an important role in overseeing the future of these important services in Orkney.”