Service integration should help young and old, says Coghill
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SERVICES provided for young and elderly people in the North should improve next month following a ground-breaking agreement between the Highland Council and NHS Highland.
That is the view of Landward Caithness councillor Robert Coghill who pointed out the new integrated service between the agencies has been agreed and comes into effect on April 1.
From that date, NHS Highland will be the lead agency for adult services while the council will be the lead agency for children’s services.
“This is the first time this has been done in Scotland and it could be rolled out to the rest of the country at a later date,” said Mr Coghill.
He argued the changes should mean improved services for the young and the elderly.
“It should mean that elderly people can stay in their own homes and get better attention and treatment there rather than end up in hospital. Previously, it may have taken time to work out what to do and the elderly person could have ended up in hospital,” said Mr Coghill.
He added the Highland Council will now be responsible for young people’s services.
“The local authority is taking over that role and it should lead to better services for those young people that require them.”
