Modernising Services for Older People

DRAFT Consultation and Communication Strategy

On 28 June 2007, The Highland Council agreed to proceed to build and operate new care homes in Tain, Muir of Ord, Inverness, Grantown and Fort William and in so doing, committed to consult with residents, their families, staff and stakeholders on the detail of the proposed care homes and to keep them fully informed of progress as the programme proceeds.  For the Press Release issued on 28 June 2007 please follow this link.

This initiative is a key element of the Administration’s Programme.  The Administration has also set out a number of other initiatives within their Programme which relate to services for older people.  These include:

a) delivering more sheltered housing units;
b) increasing the number of older people supported in their own homes;
c) delivering additional investment in aids and adaptations (Telecare);
d) delivering additional home care; and
e) increased joint working with the NHS.

All of these initiatives together form the Council’s Modernising Services for Older People strategy, and it is on all of these issues that the Council wishes to fully consult and communicate.

As well as the Council’s consultation commitment to the care homes project in particular, the Administration’s Programme also sets out a wider commitment to develop a meaningful and realistic approach to consultation which adopts the national standards of community engagement. 

A draft Consultation and Communication Strategy (PDF) has been prepared, which sets out the Council’s commitment to involving and informing stakeholders in activities relating to Modernising Services for Older People and sets the standards that the Council will adhere to in terms of the nature, level and frequency of engagement. 

Comments on this draft Consultation and Communication Strategy are now invited.  Comments, using the pro-forma provided should be submitted, no later than FRIDAY 19th OCTOBER 2007 to:

Ms Gillian Grant
Project Manager
The Highland Council
Kinmylies Building
Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NN
Fax: 01463 713237
E-mail: gillian.grant@highland.gov.uk

It is intended that a final version of the Consultation and Communication Strategy, will be presented to the Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee on 7 November 2007, for approval.