What Integration Means
Integration brings together health and social care services, combining their expertise and resources to better support people. It also involves working closely with key partners—such as unpaid carers, voluntary organisations, and the independent sector—to deliver joined-up, person-centred care.
The Aim of Integration
The main goal of integration is to improve the health and wellbeing of people in West Lothian. By working more closely together, services can be:
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More consistent
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Higher in quality
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Better tailored to local needs
This includes providing support for adults and older people with long-term conditions, disabilities, and other care needs.
New Partnership Working
In April 2016, the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 came into effect. This legislation created new arrangements for delivering integrated health and social care in Scotland.
In West Lothian, this led to the formation of a new partnership body: the West Lothian Integration Joint Board (IJB).
What Is the Integration Joint Board?
The IJB is a legally separate organisation from both West Lothian Council and NHS Lothian. Both organisations delegate certain health and social care functions to the IJB.
The IJB is responsible for:
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Strategic planning of integrated health and social care services
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Commissioning services based on local needs
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Overseeing delivery of these services across West Lothian
More detail on the IJB’s responsibilities and governance can be found in the West Lothian Integration Scheme.
Services Built Around People
Through integration, planning, funding and decision-making are joined up across adult health and social care services. This unified approach helps deliver:
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Person-centred care
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Prevention-focused services
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Support in local communities, closer to home
Making a Complaint about the IJB
You can make a complaint about the West Lothian Integration Joint Board if you are unhappy with:
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The procedures it has followed
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Its decisions
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Any administrative or decision-making processes
You can submit your complaint:
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In writing
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By phone
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By email
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In person or through a representative
Contact details:
📞 01506 280000
📧 customer.service@westlothian.gov.uk
✉️ Write to:
Director, West Lothian Integration Joint Board
Civic Centre, Howden South Road
Livingston, EH54 6FF
Key Documents
📄 Download Strategic Plan 2016–2026
📄 Download Participation and Engagement Strategy 2016–2026
