More people in North Lanarkshire will be supported to live well, stay independent and get help earlier under a new three-year health and social care plan.
University Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire’s Strategic Commissioning Plan 2026-2029 was approved yesterday (Wednesday 17 June) by the North Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board.
The plan sets out how services will work more closely with people, families, carers, communities and partner organisations to make support easier to access, better joined up and more focused on what matters to each person.
It builds on strong progress over the last three years which has seen more people being supported at home or in their community, fewer delays when people are ready to leave hospital, better support for unpaid carers, stronger community nursing services and wider use of digital technology to help people stay safe at home.
During that time the partnership has replaced more than 3,400 community alarm units with digital technology, supported the development of frailty services, launched a new Carers Strategy and increased investment in advocacy services.
The plan focuses on five key priorities:
- Preventing problems before they become bigger
- Tackling inequality
- Supporting stronger local communities
- Helping people live healthier lives at every age
- Making health and social care easier to access
A major focus of the plan is prevention with an emphasis on helping people earlier, before problems become bigger or they need more intensive support. For local people, this could mean clearer advice, quicker support, fewer repeated assessments, better links between services and more help close to home.
The plan also recognises the different challenges faced by North Lanarkshire’s communities; with some people experiencing poorer health earlier in life, and some facing more barriers when trying to access support.
Brian Moore, Chair of the Integration Joint Board, said: “This plan is all about the people of North Lanarkshire. It has been designed to help more people live well, stay independent and get the right support at the right time.
“It builds on the good work already happening across North Lanarkshire and gives us a clear direction for the next three years.
“Tackling inequality is central to this plan. We need to understand what different communities need and shape support around people and places, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
“Our plan is designed around the Getting It Right for Everyone approach in we use for our health and social care services in North Lanarkshire. This means services working together to support the person, rather than expecting people to find their own way through a complicated system.
“It also means listening to people, carers and families, focusing on their strengths and making sure support is practical, joined up and based on what matters to them.
“Digital technology will continue to play an important role by helping people stay safe at home, improving communication between services and supporting staff to work more effectively.
“Importantly, the plan is very clear that digital change must not leave anyone behind. People who cannot use digital services, or do not feel confident using them, will still be able to access support in other ways.”