Difference of opinion as health board back ‘lead agency’ care model

The board of NHS Orkney have today backed a “Lead Agency” model for the integration of health and social care services in the county.

If adopted, this would see NHS Orkney responsible for of delivering health and social care services in the county — dismantling the existing OIC and NHS Orkney health and social care services, with NHS Orkney taking the reins of the new service.

In a separate vote earlier this year, Orkney Islands Council favoured the “Body Corporate” model, which, if adopted in Orkney, would see a new health and care body being set up to manage health and social care services on behalf of both Orkney Islands Council and the NHS Orkney.

One of the concerns NHS Orkney has about this model is that it could be overly bureaucratic and lead to conflict between those serving on the “Body Corporate” and their parent bodies.

According to the health board, it is now important that both they, and the OIC, having made their separate decisions, come together to agree a joint way forward to best deliver improved outcomes for the people of Orkney.