Work is ongoing to return North Lanarkshire’s health and social care services to the levels seen before the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The complex nature of health and social care means a range of significant and immediate pressures must be balanced. Following engagement with the Scottish Government, the remobilisation plan has seen progress on:
- delivering essential services;
- redesigning urgent care;
- the key role of primary and community-based care;
- a whole system approach to mental health and wellbeing;
- planned care and clinical prioritisation;
- patient experience;
- addressing inequalities and embedding innovation;
- a sustainable workforce.
Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire is well placed to meet these challenging areas due to how staff quickly responded to the Covid-19 pandemic and established new ways of working.
Over the last 12 months, significant remote service delivery – through the use of phone and Near Me video consultations – has minimised footfall to health and care centres. This has enabled face-to-face consultations for patients and service users with the most urgent need.
A truly joined-up whole system approach has also further increased the resilience of community-based health and social care services, including statutory services, independent providers and the independent and voluntary sectors. This has been made possible through the redeployment of staff, increasing existing staff capacity and the flexibility and dedication of volunteers.
Dr Avril Osborne, North Lanarkshire integration joint board chair, said: “The health and social care recovery process, by necessity, is a gradual process. It’s important that people are aware of this and why it will take time to return to normal as we adapt to the disruption caused by Covid-19.
“The pandemic is still with us, however, we are now seeing increasing grounds for optimism all around us. To move to a more ‘business as usual’ approach, we are taking a longer-term view and firmly grasping this opportunity to further improve services for the people of North Lanarkshire. As part of this work, we have undertaken 53 service reviews to identify key priorities for 2021-22.
Dr Osborne added: “Throughout the pandemic health and social care staff have been exceptional. They have had to very quickly totally change the ways they work while also ensuring service users have been safe and their needs met.
“I have nothing but admiration for the way our staff has shown outstanding commitment, resilience and bravery throughout the pandemic. Their dedication to provide safe services for the people of North Lanarkshire has been wonderful.
“On top of this work, not only have they continued to deliver essential services but they have also shown a superb work ethic and played key roles in planning the way ahead so we meet our short, medium and longer-term priorities. This is also mirrored by many of our stakeholders, carers and voluntary and independent sector staff and volunteers.
Councillor Paul Kelly, North Lanarkshire integration joint board depute chair, said: “We are determined to emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever.
“We are making strong progress which has resulted in services being brought back or modified so that we can bring them back soon.
“This would not have been possible without the inspiring work of our staff who have led by example throughout. They have faced many challenges and a huge shift in how they work, however, they have responded impeccably and have always put our service users first. Their resilience has been truly impressive and shows their dedication to the people of North Lanarkshire.
“I have every confidence that we will achieve our goals – and those of the people of North Lanarkshire – through sustained engagement with leaders, operational managers, frontline staff, people with lived experience, carers and our voluntary and independent sector partners.”
