Tag: Edinburgh Integration Joint Board

EIJB cuts: candidate writes to Ben McPherson

Katrina Faccenda, Scottish Labour’s prospective candidate for Edinburgh North and Leith in next May’s Holyrood elections, has written to Public Finance Mnister (and local MSP) Ben McPherson over cuts to Edinburgh Integration Joint Board’s budget.

She explained: “Today I have written to Ben Macpherson MSP regarding the proposed cuts to services currently provided through the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board.  Urgent action is needed and as the Minister for Public Finance and Migration, I think Ben must speak up on behalf of his constituents.

“I am incredibly concerned about the effects of more austerity-driven cuts In the Edinburgh Northern and Leith constituency where underfunding of local government has already had a devastating impact and there are already too many living in poverty and struggling with health inequality.”

The letter reads:

“Dear Ben,

I am Katrina Faccenda, prospective Labour MSP candidate for Edinburgh Northern & Leith.

Like many of Edinburgh’s citizens,  I felt the latest round of cuts to health and social care services in the city was really the final straw.(I refer to the Phase Zero cuts agreed by the EIJB (Edinburgh Integration Joint Board)).

The EIJB members confirmed that they are upset about the changes which will have a significant negative impact on Edinburgh’s most vulnerable residents.

Do you, as Edinburgh Northern and Leith’s representative in the Scottish Parliament, share my concern that these cuts will adversely affect people in the constituency? 

Even before coronavirus, three wards in this constituency were reported to have child poverty levels higher than 30% (Edinburgh Poverty Commission Interim Report, Sept 2019)

You have stated that you are ‘ focused on being a passionate voice in the Scottish Parliament for local communities and for positive change’. (parliament.scot, Current Members, Personal Information) As the Minister responsible for Public Finance how do you plan to protect the community from such reductions in vital services?

Best Regards

Katrina”

St. Stephen Court: there’s no place like home

Sixteen refurbished apartments in Sighthill are helping people to build meaningful lives at home following time spent at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.

St Stephen's offers a homely place for tenants after time in hospital
 

Originally a sheltered housing complex, a building in the Calders has been transformed by the City of Edinburgh Council to provide high-quality places to stay.

The Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership is now funding ongoing care and support for tenants at the St Stephen’s service as they recover in a homely setting.

Continue reading St. Stephen Court: there’s no place like home

Edinburgh’s Home First policy to tackle bed blocking

Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) has approved plans to accelerate approaches to care for people at home and in a homely setting.

Designed to reduce the number of people being delayed leaving hospital and improve the care patients receive in their own community, Edinburgh’s ‘home first’ approach sets out plans to shift health and social care systems to provide greater support for people in their own or familiar surroundings. Continue reading Edinburgh’s Home First policy to tackle bed blocking

Lord Provost opens Ferryfield Hub

Lord Provost Frank Ross cut the ribbon to officially open the new Ferryfield Hub last Friday.

L r aileen hall lord

He was joined by Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership staff and people who stay at Ferryfield House Hospital in Pilton. The ceremony was to celebrate the official opening of the new dementia friendly therapeutic and social space called the Ferryfield Hub. Continue reading Lord Provost opens Ferryfield Hub

Places available for tomorrow’s EVOC Thinkspace EIJB event

Wednesday 15th May: 8.30am – 1.30pm

City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, Nicholson Square

Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council (EVOC) is hosting an event to discuss the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership’s incoming Strategic Plan. Continue reading Places available for tomorrow’s EVOC Thinkspace EIJB event

City consults on ‘new vision’ for health and social care

 ” … right care, at the right time, in the right place” – Cllr Ricky Henderson, Chair of Edinburgh Integration Joint Board.

Edinburgh Residents are being asked to comment on a “bold new vision” for way the city delivers health and social care services. The Edinburgh Integration Joint Board has launched an online consultation as it seeks feedback on its new draft Strategic Plan.

The high-level vision – which intends to rapidly influence the way services are delivered by the NHS and City of Edinburgh Council – proposes the creation of a bespoke ‘Edinburgh Model’ for collaborative health and social care, placing Edinburgh’s communities and citizens at its heart.

Developed in collaboration with patients and their families, voluntary groups and care workers, the draft plan seeks to tackle inequality and concentrate resources at a local community level rather than in hospital settings.

Through a range of measures, the strategy intends to create the right conditions for the EIJB’s existing systems to evolve over the next three years and beyond so that it can provide the city with a “radically more modern, inclusive and sustainable offering”.

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
  • Refreshed Edinburgh Offer, using a Three Conversations Model to support prevention and early intervention
  • Motivated, skilled and balanced workforce and an enhanced partnership with the voluntary and independent sectors to continue to tackle inequality
  • Care supported by the latest technology and a culture of continuous improvement, fostered by greater use of data and performance management
  • Working with the strengths of citizens and communities to make sure that age, disability, or health conditions are not barriers to living a safe and thriving life in Edinburgh.

Chair of the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board, Ricky Henderson, said: “At its heart, the strategic plan sets out our desire to support people to be well at home, and in their community, for as long as possible. Providing first class acute hospital care only when medical intervention is needed, and the right care, at the right time, in the right place.

“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.”

How can I take part in the consultation?

You can take part online through the consultation hub. A number of specific drop in events will also take place with staff, members of the third sector and EIJB stakeholders.

 

What is a ‘three conversation’ model’?

The Three Conversations Model is proving successful as an approach to health and social care and is expanding fast.

The conventional approach to care triages people, attempts to divert and connect the level of support required, and then too often makes people wait for an ‘assessment for services’.

To move away from the idea that the task is to process people, complete unwieldy documents and presume the need for formal services, the Three Conversations Model offers three clear and precise ways of interacting with people that focus on what matters to them.

It is a radically different approach which recognises the power of connecting people to the strengths and assets of community networks, and the necessity to work dynamically with people in crisis. It is focused on improving the experience of people and families needing support, and in so doing, improving the satisfaction, fulfilment and effectiveness of those working in the sector, whether they be health care professionals, volunteers or carers.

The Three Conversations Model not only improves the experience of service users but is popular with those working in the sector and can lead to a significant reduction in recurring funded support.

What is the Edinburgh Model?

Essentially, we believe people are experts in their own lives, so our aim is to work with individuals and their carers to identify what matters most to them and support them to reach their potential.

We will introduce the Edinburgh offer to redefine the services and support that we offer to Edinburgh’s people. It will concentrate on supporting and enabling people to be as independent as possible.

We will engage our citizens in a more active and collaborative way. People who find themselves needing our support will know how to engage with us and realistically what to expect from that relationship.

It will be an explicit statement of our intent and mutual expectations, with greater definition on the kind of contract we wish to have with Edinburgh’s citizens.

What is a ‘home first’ approach?

Under a Home First approach, Integration Joint Board staff would work closely with colleagues in the community and in social care to plan for a patient to return home from the first day they arrive.

Some patients may not need any help when they get home, but for those who do, Home First would make sure the right support is in place. Patients would be seen at home within hours and receive an assessment by a Home First Team, made up of community nurses, therapists and social care professionals.

Every patient would have a personal care plan and this may include therapy, goals, support for carers, any equipment they may need and self-help advice. It helps patients to get home quicker and helps them to lead independent lives, with the support they need.

Voluntary Sector Forum meets tomorrow

Forth & Inverleith Voluntary Sector Forum meets tomorrow (Wednesday 1st May) from 10.30-12.30 at North Edinburgh Arts. Continue reading Voluntary Sector Forum meets tomorrow

Health and social care: An improving picture but more needs to be done, says EIJB Chair

The length of time people are waiting for care assessments in the Capital has fallen by almost 50% under the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB), (writes its Chair, Councillor Ricky Henderson). Continue reading Health and social care: An improving picture but more needs to be done, says EIJB Chair

Edinburgh launches new directory for World Hearing Day

A new online resource for people with hearing loss has launched in Edinburgh. The digital directory – designed as a one-stop-shop for adults seeking help and support – details the many services available to the estimated 40,000 people living with hearing loss in Edinburgh. Continue reading Edinburgh launches new directory for World Hearing Day

Funding cuts crisis: Voluntary Sector Forum meets this morning

Forth & Inverleith Voluntary Sector Forum meets this morning (Monday 18th February) from 9:30 – 11.30am at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre. 

Forum members will discuss funding cuts of over £600,000 to local projects and will consider the impact this will have on the community. A plan for a local voluntary sector response will also developed at the meeting.