Are you interested in contributing to improving local health and social care services? A local Forum is a great way to get involved.

The Forums meet regularly to discuss local health and social care issues. Meetings may include presentations and talks from local health and social care staff where appropriate. Some Forum members also arrange and are involved in local health and social care events for the public.

For more information or to discuss either Forum please contact LQA@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

In Lanarkshire there are two main forums:

Lanarkshire North Partnership Forum

The Lanarkshire North Partnership Forum exists to represent views of the public on health and social care matters in North Lanarkshire. Their remit is to liaise and assist with the strategic planning and development of health and social care facilities/services within North Lanarkshire, holding authorities accountable for their strategic plans and investigating systems and how they operate within NHS Lanarkshire and University Health and Social Care Partnership North Lanarkshire.

The Forum will not deal with complaints or personal situations.

NHS Lanarkshire and Health and Social Care University Partnership North Lanarkshire both use the Forum as a means of receiving public feedback and engagement on a range of topics.

In order to join the Forum, a member of the public would first need to be a member of an approved constituted local group for example Community Forum/Community Council. Admission to the Forum is done only by approval from the Chair. Groups or charities wishing to join the Forum must be agreed by all Forum members.

South Health and Social Care Forum

Promoting ongoing, active and meaningful engagement across all our communities is fundamental to the work of South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership (SLUHSCP). South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Forum is of paramount importance in our overall efforts to understand and learn about lived experiences – from all perspectives.

Commissioned by the SLUHSCP as its key route for community consultation and engagement through a formal working agreement, Health and Social Care forums are an independent group of community volunteers and third sector organisations who work to:

“Empower patients, service users, carers, and the general public to have a voice in the planning and development of local health and social care services, including those delivered jointly with third sector organisations”.

The South Health and Social Care Forum’s mission is to inform, involve and support the communities of South Lanarkshire in the development of health and social care services that are appropriate, responsive and accountable.

We do this through four locality forums open to local organisations and community members:

• Clydesdale area
• East Kilbride, Strathaven and surrounding areas
• Hamilton, Blantyre, Larkhall and surrounding areas
• Rutherglen and Cambuslang and surrounding areas

Representatives, (normally the chair and vice chair), of the four localities sit on the South Health and Social Care Forum where the wider objectives are discussed, and any appropriate action taken.  There is a passion to ensure information is provided to the strategic boards of the Health and Social Care Partnership but also to make sure information from such Boards are disseminated to communities to ensure their voices are heard.

If you are interested in getting involved in any of the locality Forums please email: lqa@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk in the first instance.

For more information visit the South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership (SLUHSCP) website.