Change needed to deliver health and social care services within budget
A set of proposals focusing on service reform are being put to public consultation as Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership prepares to set its annual budget.
Reflecting a tough financial landscape across the public sector, the body responsible for local services is seeking to close a £21m budget gap over the next 3 years.
Covering a range of services delivered by Falkirk Council, NHS Forth Valley, community organisations, and providers, the budget affects social work, care at home, learning disability support, alcohol and drug support, GPs, mental health, and many more areas.
Members of the public and those working in local services are being asked for their views on a range of options which involve changes to the way services are delivered, increased service charges, and some reductions in the level of support available.
Alongside the set of 15 budget saving proposals, the Partnership is also consulting on a new set of eligibility criteria which outline when social care support will be provided and what support will be available.
Gail Woodcock, Chief Officer, Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Reflecting the wide reach of our services, we are seeking the views of as many people living and working in the local area as possible.
“Prior to producing this set of proposals to help meet a £21m budget gap, extensive work has been undertaken to reduce our spending and make efficiencies without impacting upon service delivery.
“While service change may be challenging, there is opportunity within this process to shape financially sustainable services which people in Falkirk can rely on well into the future.”
Marie Keirs, Chief Finance Officer for the Partnership, added: “The tough reality of public finances, rising operating costs, and increased demand on services means that we can no longer rely on our reserve funding to cover ongoing spending.
“We must make changes to balance our budget on a recurring basis, or we risk significantly impacting the level of provision we can provide in future years.
“Through this engagement process, we want to inform people of the potential changes ahead and assess the impact this might have on people, their families, our staff, providers, and other local organisations.
“This will help us identify suitable alternative actions and provide the insight needed to inform a final decision by our Board members.”
Changes proposed include exploring alternative overnight sleepover support; expanding the mix of organisations delivering care and support at home; the removal of non-pay related increases to providers; and working with voluntary and community groups to redesign the way third sector support is funded in future years.
The Partnership is also seeking to increase charges for social care, applying a 5% increase to council-owned care home fees; an increase to meal costs at Housing with Care properties; and removing means testing for the Mobile Emergency Care Service to charge everyone a flat rate of £5 per week.
The combination of these increased charges will bring the maximum people will pay for non-personal care and day care to £50 per week for under 65’s, and £33.60 per week for over 65’s.
Elsewhere within the consultation, service reviews are proposed covering the Partnership’s administrative functions, housing with care services, out of hours services (including telecare and the Mobile Emergency Care Service), care homes, community bedded care units, and short breaks for carers and people with disabilities. People are being asked what they would like to change or stay the same if these services are to be adapted to become financially sustainable.
The engagement process is open until 25 February, with feedback due to be presented to the Partnership’s Board in March to allow its members to make an informed decision and finalise its budget.
An online survey is open on Participate+, where people can respond to as many or as few of the proposals as they wish. The Partnership will also be engaging directly with communities, with sessions planned in local libraries and with community groups.
To keep informed of engagement opportunities, you can follow the Partnership at @FalkirkHSCP on X (twitter), Facebook, or LinkedIn, and sign up to receive our newsletter.
Take part now
An online survey is available to complete on Participate+, open until 25 February 2025.
A series of library sessions are available to provide feedback in person. Drop in at:
- Larbert Library on 28 January, 10am – 12noon
- Grangemouth Library on 7 February, 10am – 12noon
- Denny Library on 11 February, 2pm – 4pm.