Health and social care - surge and winter preparedness: national planning priorities and principles

Prioritise care for all people in our communities who need it the most, enabling people who are most at risk to live well with the support they require and ensuring safe, person-centred care through integrated, placed-based planning

Ensuring safe, effective person-centred community care packages through an integrated and coordinated approach is critical year-round, but particularly during periods of sustained pressure. Health and social care professionals, including social work and unpaid carers, alongside other community-based services, play a vital role in supporting people to stay well, flourish and live independent lives. These services undertake vital preventative work which reduces the pressure on hospital admissions and acute based care and ensures that individuals continue to receive the best possible care in a community setting.

Surge planning should ensure that, whilst recognising that some changes may need to be made to ensure continued delivery of high-quality services and to fulfil statutory duties, that there should remain an absolute commitment to enable people to live well with appropriate support.

The Scottish Government and COSLA recognise that, particularly during periods of surge pressure, thresholds for accessing care and support may need to shift in order to ensure those most at risk of harm or loss of independence are able to get the care they need. This should be continuously evaluated and HSCPs should seek to ensure that in the longer-term, resources are not narrowly focused on those with the most acute needs, and that individuals accessing care and support are able to do so with choice, control, and dignity.