Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care

Why do we need to work in partnership?

The shape of Scottish society and the health and care needs of our communities locally are changing. People are living longer, healthier lives and as the needs of our society change, so too must the nature and form of our public services.

In the next 10 years, the number of people in Scotland aged over 75 is likely to have increased by over 25%. In the same period, it’s also estimated that nearly two-thirds of people will have developed a long-term condition by the age of 65.

Health and social care services and partners can work better together to ensure that the needs of those who use services are more ‘anticipated’. Better use of their combined resources can help to put an emphasis on anticipatory care which could result in the prevention of unplanned admissions to hospital or long-term care which will result in individuals benefiting from an improved quality of life, maintaining independence for longer and minimising support needs.

Prevention is at the heart of public service reform with integrated preventative approaches including anticipatory care, promoting physical activity and introducing technology and rehabilitation interventions to prevent or delay functional decline and disability.

We are now able to prevent, detect and treat illness earlier and understand more about how long-term conditions affect people’s lives. We have a better understanding of the support that people need to live their lives on their own terms. In future, local integrated networks of care and support will build stronger links with the many local voluntary services and resources that help people to stay well.

What are we trying to achieve?

The Scottish Government has set out nine national health and well-being outcomes for people.

  • People are able to look after and improve their own health and well-being and live in good health for longer.
  • People, including those with disabilities or long-term conditions, or who are frail, are able to live, as far as reasonably practicable, independently and at home or in a homely setting in their community.
  • People who use health and social care services have positive experiences of those services, and have their dignity respected.
  • Health and social care services contribute to reducing health inequalities.
  • People who provide unpaid care are supported to look after their own health and well-being, including to reduce any negative impact of their caring role on their own health and well-being.
  • People who work in health and social care services feel engaged with the work they do and are supported to continuously improve the information, support, care and treatment they provide.
  • People using health and social care services are safe from harm.
  • Resources are used effectively and efficiently in the provision of health and social care services.