Health and Social Care Strategy for Older People

Older people are being asked how health and social services should change to help make Scotland the best place in the world to grow old by sharing their views on the new on Health and Social Care Strategy for Older People. You can take part in the consultation here.

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has shone a spotlight on older people, who were amongst the worst affected by the virus in society. 73.3% or almost three quarters of those currently on the COVID-19 highest risk list are 55 years of age or over.  As NHS in Scotland rebuilds and remobilises, there is a significant opportunity to ensure that older people are placed at the centre of that recovery and focus on a preventative, joined up approach to healthy ageing in older people.

It is clear that many older people’s health and social care services need to adapt now to ensure that health and social care services can adapt to the increasing ageing population and the complex health care needs that older people can have.

The consultation will help shape the Health and Social Care Strategy for Older People and follows a commitment to work in partnership with older people, including the Older People’s Strategic Action Forum, to identify how they want the health and social care systems to work for them in the future.

As well as older people and the organisations that support them, views are being sought from the clinicians, health professionals and social care staff who provide this care, to help ensure integrated care is available for all older people, whatever their needs and wherever they live.

The consultation closes on 19th June 2022.