Warm welcome for partnership plan

PLANS to set up Community Health Partnerships across Scotland have been welcomed by West Lothian Council.

The Scottish Executive is consulting on the new partnerships as part of a review of the National Health Service. And West Lothian Council’s health and care committee is backing a model which integrates health services with the council’s social work department and some areas of children’s services.

The partnerships would see health workers in the NHS and councils working together. "We will be responding positively to the Scottish Executive with our views on the best way of delivering services that meet the needs of local people," said committee convener Councillor Bruce Ferrie.

"This will mean as NHS trusts are dissolved by April 2004 that the creation of Community Health Partnerships will be seen as key building blocks in the modernising of services, service integration and service design. In essence this will mean a partnership between health-related teams in the NHS and councils. I believe this is the best way forward for health care improvements - an integrated partnership working as one team for the people of West Lothian."