NHS Highland Agrees To Partnership With Highland Council

22nd March 2012

Partnership agreement breaks new ground for caring services in the Highlands.

Today the Board of NHS Highland sealed a ground breaking partnership agreement with the Highland Council. The new arrangements set out how services will be integrated to improve the outcomes for the people of Highland.

In a first for Scotland the agencies are overhauling the way key caring services are delivered. From 1 April, NHS Highland will be the lead agency for adult services and the Council will be the lead agency for children's services. To support the move a new Highland Health and Social Care Partnership will be set up which will see 1400 Highland Council staff transferring across to NHS Highland.

Elaine Mead, Chief Executive for NHS Highland, said: "This is a very exciting time as the new approach brings enormous potential to improve how we deliver some services. It is now up to all of us to make the most of these opportunities as we redesign our services and the way we work together over the next two years.

"Even though this is a huge step in taking forward how health is delivered it is vital that no focus is lost in the day to day service delivery."

Garry Coutts, Chair of NHS Highland, said: "Its great to see Highland leading the way towards integrating services. People have been telling us for years this is a "must-do" and we have risen to the challenge.

"Things won't change overnight but over time I am in no doubt this is going to help us to look after more people in their own homes. It will be much more efficient and a lot less frustrating. This has captured the imagination of very many staff and there is a ground swell of support and commitment to make this a success."

Over the past 15 months, a programme of work has focused on preparing the way for the transfer of functions between organisations so that new integrated services can be developed. The emphasis has been on ensuring no break in continuity of service and change which would be detrimental to the outcomes sought by users, carers and staff.

Considerable work has progressed in determining financial processes and budgets. In respect of adult services, the financial contribution payable by The Highland Council to NHS Highland for the first financial year is an indicative £88,296,000.

In respect of Children's services, the financial contribution payable by NHS Highland to Highland Council for the first financial year will be £8,100,000.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

Scotland's Local Government Reform: More Local Power or Mainly a Search for Savings?

The Scottish Government is proposing a major reshaping of local government, with fewer regional authorities and many more community-level bodies making decisions closer to where people live.   The language is about local democracy, stronger communities and bringing decisions closer to people.  

Today : Local Authority

Local Government Set For Huge Changes

Initial proposals designed to deliver fundamental reform of local governance have been set out to help shape the debate on improving public services.   The possible changes, if implemented, could help achieve a better balance of decision-making powers across the public sector to ensure investment is focused on delivering improved services.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Council Tax Reform: Just How Many Scots Took Part in the Debate?

Council tax is one of those bills that most households know only too well.   It arrives every month or in a series of instalments, and it helps pay for services ranging from rubbish collection and roads to schools, social care and other council services.  

19/9/2026 : Local Authority

Why Scotland Is Reorganising Public Services – And Why Highland Could Feel the Impact More Than Most

Something important is happening in Scotland's public services, and it goes considerably further than another round of annual budget cuts.   The Scottish Government is now talking about changing the way public services themselves are organised.  

18/9/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Council's £2.1 Billion Investment Plan: Could Higher Interest Rates Put the Squeeze on Future Budgets?

Highland Council is planning to spend around £2.1 billion over 20 years on schools, roads, housing, community facilities and other infrastructure.   It is an ambitious programme, and one which could bring considerable benefits across the Highlands.  

17/9/2026 : Local Authority

New Industry Connect Highland programme to strengthen links between schools and employers

Secondary schools and employers across the Highlands are coming together through a new partnership programme designed to connect classroom learning with future career opportunities and help develop the Highlands future workforce.   Industry Connect Highland, developed through My Highland Future and Workforce North, will run throughout the 2026/27 academic year with an initial focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).  

15/9/2026 : Local Authority

Help Shape Highland's Future: Call for Ideas Extended Until November

Communities, businesses and residents are being given extra time to share ideas that will influence future development and land use across Highland.   The Highland Council has an open Call for Ideas survey, which is inviting people to share ideas on future development and long-term land use in Highland.  

12/9/2026 : Local Authority

Caithness This Week A Region Facing Big Decisions on Energy, Money and Its Future

Caithness has had a busy week, although the individual stories might not initially appear to have much in common.   Look a little more closely, however, and a pattern begins to emerge.  

10/9/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council welcomes funding boost to support households struggling with fuel costs

The Highland Council has welcomed an increase of £750,000 of funding from the SSE Renewables Highland Sustainable Development Fund to support private householders experiencing extreme fuel poverty in Highland.   The two-year grant will support the delivery of the Council’s Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme (EES:ABS), funded by The Scottish Government, which funds energy efficiency home improvements that can help lower fuel costs and improve living conditions for Highland residents.  

9/9/2026 : Local Authority

Councillors set to challenge huge Highland powerline plan

Highland councillors are set to reaffirm their opposition to a massive new 400kV powerline stretching across the region when they meet today.   The North and South Planning Committees are joining forces to consider the proposed Spittal–Loch Buidhe–Beauly transmission project, one of the biggest electricity infrastructure schemes ever proposed in the Highlands.