Integrating Community Health and Social Care Services in Fife

Abstract

Introduction: Fife is the third largest local government region in Scotland with a growing population of 366,957, of which 18% are over the age of 65, and with a mix of urban communities and sparsely populated rural communities. Social care services are delivered by Fife Council and healthcare services by National Health Service Fife in a partnership working arrangement but with separate workforces, management structures and funding. Unplanned admissions to hospitals and care homes account for nearly 30% of the resources that Fife spends on health and social care for older people. To address these demographic and associated funding pressures, a programme to redesign and integrate community health and social care services was implemented. Description: The Scottish Government introduced a Reshaping Care for Older People programme to create a vision and offer some funding for service change. The programme aims to increase care in community settings resulting in reductions in demand for h)