Proposals include changes to how adult health and social care services are planned and delivered, aiming towards a seamless experience from the perspective of the patient, service user or carer.

They also outline improvements to integrating health and social care services which are not limited to older people, but extend to all adult health and social care services.

Find out more here.

You can read the official report here.

The Health and Sport Committee examines the Scottish Government’s health policy, the NHS in Scotland, sport and other matters within its remit. The Committee issued a call for written views which closed on 24 April. Read the call for written views. Read the written submissions received.

The Committee intends to publish its report by the end of June.

The Working Group is for parents of children and young people aged under 18 with additional needs, is facilitated by Borders Carers Centre and BVCCF, and includes advisers from statutory services.

We want parent carers to have a voice!

We have a new Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/455843087765525/ to help us communicate. Please  join us!

For more information about the group, contact Kathleen Travers at BVCCF at kathleen@bvccf.org.uk

The Bill makes provision for adults and children to be given choices and control in how they are provided with community care services and support.

This briefing discusses the policy context to the Bill, current legislative provisions for self-directed support and the provisions in the Bill itself.

Candidates at the Galashiels event

Candidates in Scottish Borders Council constituencies heard about the concerns of local people with learning disabilities, and their carers, at events in Galashiels and Hawick.

Organised by Borders Voluntary Community Care Forum (BVCCF) and People First Borders, the events aimed to raise awareness of the forthcoming council elections.

In the morning, those attending discussed the council and its responsibilities, heard about the local candidates, and talked about what happens on polling day, the new voting system and how to complete the ballot paper.

Candidates and People First members in Hawick

They also cast their votes using the new style ballot boxes and a polling booth, after hearing “party political broadcasts” from the Smarty Party, the Hearty Party and the Party Party .

In the afternoon, candidates joined them for lunch and then took part in a question and answer session, during which a number of local issues were raised, including transport, day centres, windfarms, roads, and cuts in council services.

Candidates who took part are standing in the Galashiels and District, Hawick & Denholm and Hawick & Hermitage constituencies.

Please also pass this link to any organisations that should be included in this mapping exercise and encourage them to do the same.

If you have any questions, or would like to receive this survey in another format, please contact Kathleen Travers at BVCCF – call 01896 757290 or email kathleen@bvccf.org.uk