BACKGROUND
The context for partnership working in Scotland and for the development of Community Health Partnerships was set out in the White Paper Partnership for Care and Delivering for Health and strengthened in the NHS Reform ( Scotland ) Act 2004, providing impetus for the development of CHPs.
Subsequently the Scottish Government published the Better Health Better Care Action Plan, which had CHPs at the heart of the agenda, shifting the balance of care by improving access, managing demand, reducing unnecessary referrals and providing better community care services. CHPs are at the heart of the Quality Strategy for NHS Scotland, planning community services and the drive for integration between health and social care partners.
SINGLE OUTCOME AGREEMENTS
In November 2007 a concordat agreement was signed between the Scottish Government and COSLA marking a shift from national decision making to local decision making by committing both to moving towards Single Outcome Agreements (SOAs). SOAs allow local authorities to have the freedom to set their own priorities and improve their local arrangements. The Scottish Government has agreed SOAs with all 32 councils and their aim is to improve the quality of life and opportunities in life for people across Scotland.
By working as part of an integrated system of service planning and delivery, CHPs help support SOAs in delivering joint outcomes agreed by the local authority and NHS Board.
REGULATIONS
The Community Health Partnerships Regulations (Scotland) 2004 came into force on 1 October 2004 and placed every Health Board under the duty to establish either a CHP for the area of the Health Board or two or more CHPs for districts which, taken together, include the whole area of the Health Board, in each case in accordance with a scheme of establishment approved by the Scottish Ministers.
The Community Health Partnerships Statutory Guidance, published in 2004 sought to make clear the minimum requirements for all CHPs as prescribed in regulations and, at the same time, to offer flexibility so that Boards, working with their partners, could develop local arrangements to suit local needs. The Guidance recognises the different context and circumstances across Scotland, in relation to the size and complexity of Board/Local Authority areas, and to the ongoing development of integrated services within the NHS and joint working with partners, particularly Local Authorities. The Guidance maximises the flexibility available to partners to reflect local circumstances and local aspirations.
MEMBERSHIP OF CHPS
CHP Committees are made up of Doctors, Nurses, clinical practitioners, representatives of public/voluntary sector, elected members and management. Members of the committee must live within the CHP area.
Where are we now? Following on from the Study of CHPs, which was published in May 2010, we have published a response which provides guidance to NHS Boards on the priority areas to focus on and develop. The recommendations made in the Audit Scotland review of CHPs, due to be published after the Scottish Elections in May 2011, will then be taken into account when updating the CHP Statutory Guidance. Check back here for more details.