The Joint Appointments Guide 2014: An updated guide to setting up, managing and maintaining joint appointments between health organisations and local government in Scotland

Foreword

In 2011, the Scottish Government announced its intention to move towards integration of adult health and social care in order to improve the quality and consistency of care for older people, after reflecting on the findings of the Christie Commission. Following consultation during 2012, the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Bill, which provides for integrated health and social care, was introduced into the Scottish Parliament in May 2013. The intention of the Bill is that services should be planned and delivered seamlessly from the perspective of the patient, service user or carer, and that systems for managing services should actively support such seamlessness.

A Human Resources Working Group (HRWG) was set up to advise Scottish Ministers on HR implications of the Bill. The group agreed that although the Joint Appointments Guide was first developed in 2004, it continues to provide a good practical foundation for applying joint working principles, and considering how best to calibrate different systems against each other. As a result the 2004 guidance has been refreshed and updated to be made available to Chief Executives and HR/Workforce Directors and trades union representatives in local authorities and NHS Boards.

Joint appointments are an important factor in developing and delivering integrated services and can play an important role in helping health, local government and other organisations work together, continuing to strengthen the partnership approach and thereby improving delivery of national outcomes for health and wellbeing.

This guide provides a checklist for success that will help to ensure joint appointments deliver their intended benefits.

Shirley Rogers
Health Workforce
Scottish Government

2014