Integration of Adult Health and Social Care in Scotland Consultation: Scottish Government Response

Introduction

1. In May 2012, following an announcement by the then Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy in December 2011, the Scottish Government published a consultation on proposals to integrate adult health and social care^[2].

2. The consultation concluded in September 2012, and the Scottish Government published an analysis report of responses^[3] in December 2012.

3. This paper provides a summary of the Scottish Government's response to the key points made by respondents to the consultation, and describes Ministers' thinking with regard to the Bill that will be introduced to the Scottish Parliament later in 2013. It addresses points made in the written responses that were submitted and also draws together a number of key observations that have been made to Ministers and officials during the period of consultation, during public discussion events and at other meetings.

4. The Scottish Government notes its thanks to all individuals, groups and organisations that provided a response to the consultation.

How this response is organised

5. This response is organised to match the chapter headings of the consultation document:

• The case for change - whom to legislate for?;
• Outline of proposed reforms - what to legislate for?;
• National outcomes for adult health and social care;
• Governance and accountability;
• Integrated budgets and resourcing;
• Jointly Accountable Officer; and
• Professionally led locality planning and commissioning of services.

6. In each section, we summarise the main points that have been made by respondents and then describe Scottish Ministers' response.