What Integration Means
Integration involves combining and coordinating the expertise and resources of health and social care, while also working closely with other key partners, including unpaid carers, the third sector, and the independent sector.
Integration Aim
The goal of integration is to enhance the health and wellbeing of people in West Lothian and to improve the quality and consistency of health and social care services. This includes providing advice, support, and services, especially for adults and older people with long-term conditions and disabilities.
New Partnership
The legislation for integrating health and social care was enacted on April 1, 2016, under the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014. This led to the establishment of new partnership arrangements for delivering integrated health and social care in West Lothian.
Integration Joint Board
As part of these new arrangements, West Lothian Council and NHS Lothian delegated certain functions to a new entity, the West Lothian Integration Joint Board (IJB). The IJB operates as a distinct legal body separate from West Lothian Council and NHS Lothian.
IJB Responsibilities
The IJB is tasked with the joint strategic commissioning of delegated health and social care services and oversees their delivery. The operation, remit, and governance of the IJB are detailed in the Integration Scheme for West Lothian.
Services Built Around Needs
The IJB integrates planning, resources, and operational oversight for a wide range of adult health and social care functions into a unified system. This approach ensures that services are tailored to the needs of patients and service users, with an emphasis on preventative and anticipatory care in communities.
How to Make a Complaint about the Integration Joint Board
Complaints may concern:
Procedures followed by the West Lothian IJB
Decisions made by the IJB
Administrative or decision-making processes of the IJB
Complaints can be submitted in writing, in person, by telephone, or by email, or through a representative.
Phone: 01506 280000
Email: customer.service@westlothian.gov.uk
Write to: Director, West Lothian Integration Joint Board, Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, EH54 6FF
Strategic Plan 2016-2026
Download Strategic Plan 2016-2026
Participation and Engagement Strategy 2016-2026
Download Participation and Engagement Strategy 2016-2026
Page last updated 01.08.2024
