Improving care for older people
Jura Progressive Care Partnership
What is it?
In Argyll and Bute, a new approach to providing care for older people is being developed. The aim is for all care providers to work together to allow the older person to retain as much independence as possible. This approach is being piloted in Jura and involves:
• Building a new care centre as a base for health, social work and housing care provision
• Six new flats with support and care provision (one of which is for respite care)
• Creating joint community care teams, involving all current care providers
• Joint training, recruitment and funding of staff
A similar approach is also being adopted in the islands of Mull and Iona.
Who are the partners?
This new approach is being developed by a partnership between:
• Local communities
• NHS Highland
• Argyll and Bute Council
• Communities Scotland
• West Highland Housing Association
The partnership has received funding from a wide range of other sources, including Lloyds TSB, Help the Aged and private donations.
What has it achieved?
Through joint working, the Jura Care Partnership has:
• Worked with local communities to identify the need for supported accommodation and services for older people on Jura
• Established joint local management structures for support and care services. Until recently, some services were managed from outwith Jura, making it more difficult to adapt provision to local needs.
• Developed a team of ‘Intensive Home Care Workers’ to support people in their own homes – jointly funded by the NHS and Community Services
• Successfully applied for funding for an Outreach Worker, to support older people to live in their own homes for longer
• Created a centre in Jura which will act as a central access point for a wide range of services for older people on the island.
What lessons have been learned?
• Recognise the important role of local communities as partners. In Jura, local people had a vision of what they wanted for the island and were very committed to working closely with service providers to achieve this.
• Remember why you are working jointly. Focusing on the improvements for clients can help partners to stay focused on their joint vision, and help to keep people motivated.
• It takes time to work in partnership! The concept of the Jura centre developed and evolved over ten years. But involving a range of people with different areas of expertise has been one of the reasons this project has been successful.
• The personalities of the individuals involved can make a huge difference. Commitment and motivation are really important to making a project like this work.
• Aligning funding cycles of different partners can be one of the most challenging aspects of making a project like this work effectively.
Where can I find out more?
Integrated Services Manager
Jura Progressive Care Centre
Tel: 01496 820 111
