West Lothian Integration Joint Board's Community Health and Social Care Bed Based Review

The IJB published its strategic plan (West Lothian IJB - Strategic Plan 2023-28) recently, which set out an ambition for a 'Home First' approach focussing on enabling and supporting people to remain at home or in a homely setting wherever possible.

To take part in the survey please click here.

The Strategic Plan recognises that both West Lothian Council and NHS Lothian are required to achieve substantial financial efficiencies over the next three years, this reflects that the funding provided by the Scottish Government is insufficient to continue to deliver all care services as they are currently provided. This means that we need to think differently about how we deliver our services in the future to ensure that existing and future care demands can continue to be met. The IJB approved its financial plan (West Lothian IJB 2023/24 Budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan) in March 2023, which detailed the savings to be made and included budget measures in relation to community hospital provision and council care homes that aim to reduce the budget gap faced by the IJB over the next three years.

The financial circumstances are challenging and we need to make decisions about how to invest our resources and design our services to meet the needs of our population.

Engagement with Stakeholders

Over the last 18 months, the West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership has been reviewing the number of community hospital and care home beds required now and in the future. The review has looked at current demand, occupancy rates and is trying to anticipate the number of beds needed to reflect West Lothian's growing population of older people.

There are significant decisions to be made around the future delivery of bed-based services in West Lothian and we want to ensure that we take account of the views of our service users, staff, carers and the wider West Lothian community in determining how to maximise and use our resources.

Information provided within the IJB Stakeholder Document (PDF, 2 MB)(opens new window) sets out arrangements for community hospitals and care homes in West Lothian and details options to be considered for the future having regard to the IJB's Strategic Plan and financial circumstances.

Consultation and Feedback

The IJB is inviting feedback on future options for delivering community bed-based services in West Lothian. We have opened a survey which will run until 5pm on Tuesday 6th June 2023. Everyone is encouraged to take part and express their views. A link to the survey can be found here.

A Stakeholder Engagement document providing more information can be found at the bottom of this page. 

There will be in person engagement sessions on the following dates:

• Wednesday 24th May 2023 6:30pm-8:30pm at Bathgate Partnership Centre
• and Monday 29th May 2023 12pm-2pm at Strathbrock Partnership Centre (via Entrance B - Strathbrock Community Centre)

There will be an online engagement session on Tuesday 30th May 2023 1pm-2pm via MS Teams
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device - Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 364 387 143 341
Passcode: KXwjaA

Any further comments can be made via this dedicated mailbox: WLIJBpublicmailboxquestions@westlothian.gov.uk