Online consultation launched

Edinburgh wants to put its citizens at the heart of collaborative health and social care and is to consult on their views.

They are being asked to comment on a new vision for way the city its health and care services and has launched an online consultation as it seeks feedback on its new draft Strategic Plan.

The intention is to influence the way services are delivered by the NHS and City of Edinburgh Council with the aim to create an Edinburgh model for collaborative health and social care, placing Edinburgh's communities and citizens at its heart.

The approach will involve the third sector as well as local and national agencies.

Residents are being asked to what extent they agree with the vision and its aspirations which include developing a person-centred, patient first and ‘home first’ approach, working towards shifting the balance of care from acute services to the community through a change programme.

Commenting, chair of the Edinburgh integration joint board, Ricky Henderson, said: "Age, disability or health conditions should not stop people living a safe and good life and so our approach aims to work with individuals and their carers to see what matters most to them and support them to reach their goals.

“Everyone also deserves to live as comfortably and independently as they can, and by working towards a 'home first' method, we hope to empower people and communities to make these choices where they can.

"To do this, we need input from everyone who is touched by health and social care services in Edinburgh and we need to work collaboratively with our partners to optimise available resources. I urge people to take part in the consultation and have their say."