New umbrella body for health and social care sector

Health, News.., Social care — By TFNadmin on 25/11/2011 9:00 am

by Robert Armour

LTCAS and VHS to be merged into one

TWO of Scotland’s leading third sector health bodies are to merge, it was announced this week.

The Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland (LTCAS) and Voluntary Health Scotland are set to become one body after a letter was sent to members of both organisations informing them of the decision.

As the larger of the two organisation, LTCAS is to take the lead on the merger.

Its chief executive, Ian Welsh, told TFN that a new organisation with a new name is likely to be created by mid 2012.

Both organisations will be consulting with their members on what the organisation will look like but Welsh said it will include both of their existing remits.

“The merger will try to capture all of the work that both organisations are currently doing and also potentially scope out activity that isn’t being carried out,” he said.

“We understand the work of other organisations involved in this area, particularly Voluntary Action Scotland and the Coalition of Care and support Providers Scotland (CCPS), both of whom do excellent work, and we would like to see all of us working in a more connected and complimentary way.

“Hopefully it will mean that we present a much stronger, more coherent and more effective face to government.”

While the details of what the new organisation will look like remain vague, TFN has been told by one leading member that they have “deep reservations” about the direction LTCAS is taking.

The source said there were concerned how LTCAS, a body originally established to support service users, and VHS, a lobbying and policy-based organisation working to support the community health agenda, will represent the joint work of both groups in a new single remit.

LTCAS, said the source, was already close to government through running the £4m Self Management Fund on its behalf and that this move could make the organisation “one step away from becoming a quango”.

“We are unclear as to how this merger will benefit members,” said the source.

“There is concern how an even bigger LTCAS can become a one-stop shop and will struggle to meet the needs of all its members, especially charities working to individual agendas.

“And while it can’t be doubted that there is strength in numbers, we fear the new body will become the sole conduit for statutory cash.”

In a statement, LTCAS said the new body would be set-up to “reflect the direction of travel for health and social care policy and services in Scotland, including within government.”

Annie Gunner Logan, chief executive of the Coalition of Care and support Providers Scotland (CCPS) said: “LTCAS and VHS both have strong track records, and relationships within health care and health improvement.

“Given the current agenda for health and social care integration, and in the context of the Christie Commission, it makes sense for them to join forces and to seek to bring their experience to bear in a wider arena, complementing the work of those organisations – CCPS among them – who are already active and highly influential in this environment.”

“We look forward to discussing with the new organisation how we can work together to achieve better outcomes, and an even stronger voice within government both on behalf of providers and of people with long term conditions.”

Tags: health, LTCAS, TFN 663 - 25 November 2011, VHS, work