COSLA has responded to the publication of an Accounts Commission bulletin on Integration Joint Boards’ finances.
The Accounts Commission’s bulletin clearly demonstrates the immense challenges that Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) and local Government are having to work through in ensuring the local delivery of integrated health and social care services. The findings released today come in the context of increased demand for social care services, workforce difficulties, and constrained finances across the health and social care sector.
As the bulletin points out, the majority of total planned savings were achieved for the 2023/24 financial year, but there still remains a projected funding gap of £457m for 2024/25.
COSLA recognises that a stronger focus on prevention is needed to help slow demand and improve outcomes for people and communities, however this needs to occur in tandem with appropriate funding for IJBs.
COSLA’s Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Councillor Paul Kelly, commented following publication of the report on Thursday 6th March:
“With Scotland’s population aged 75 and over expected to rise to 774,000 by 2045, it is vital that we invest in prevention and early intervention in social care with this future in mind.
“Given the present challenges facing the system, there needs to be constructive collaboration between local government, Scottish Government, Integration Joint Boards (IJBs), and NHS partners around the scale of the challenge - and what this means for what people and stakeholders can expect from the system. We are committed to working with all partners to do everything we can to understand the impact the current and projected financial position is having on the system.
“Social care is and will remain a sector delivered by people for people, and I am encouraged by the work already taking place between IJBs, Councils and other partners in the face of current pressures. The report rightly highlights the significant in-year financial contributions already made from partners, however, this is not a sustainable solution for IJBs and only adds to the pressures our Councils are facing." [ENDS]