COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Councillor Paul Kelly, commented today on the publication of the joint Winter Preparedness Plan:

"It is our shared responsibility to ensure that people and communities have timely access to quality care and support when they need it most. We know that Local Government and Health and Social Care Partnerships across Scotland are working hard to plan and deliver the essential health and social care services our communities rely on every day.

"The context within which this takes place is increasingly challenging, which is why COSLA have worked jointly with the Scottish Government to produce this plan. Local Government plays a key role in supporting people to experience better wellbeing and better outcomes, so it was only right that this plan reflects the whole system of integrated health and social care, from acute and primary care to social work, our care homes, community settings, and our partners across the sector.

"Winter is often a time of exceptional pressure on our services so I am pleased that this plan, produced with our partners across the sector, reflects the challenges and the opportunities we face."

Read more about the 2024/25 Winter Preparedness Plan: www.gov.scot/publications/health-social-care-winter-preparedness-plan-2024-25