People across South Lanarkshire are being invited to have their say on a plan that will shape the ongoing development of local health and social care services.

South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership (H&SCP) are currently seeking views on their Strategic Commissioning Plan 2022 – 2025. In effect, the document will be a blueprint for the future – as it will set down key priorities to inform significant resources invested in health and social care provision going forward.

The partnership has just published an easy-to-use online survey – https://bit.ly/2Vhoonq – and is currently holding a range of targeted events with stakeholders.

Soumen Sengupta, Director of Health and Social Care for South Lanarkshire, stated: “Health and social care staff across South Lanarkshire are working tirelessly to address the significant challenges created by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“At the same time, I am also committed to looking to the future, collectively, and being ambitious for what we think our ‘new normal’ should look like.”

He added “We all have a role play in shaping a progressive and sustainable vision for health and social care services.”

Craig Cunningham, Head of Commissioning and Performance for the H&SCP, highlighted that gleaning feedback and hearing views is fundamental to planning for the future.

“In essence, the Strategic Commissioning Plan will focus on the support that the H&SCP can provide to people in local communities to assist them to maximise their health and wellbeing.

“So it’s vitally important we hear from individuals from across the communities of South Lanarkshire in terms of what matters to them and their families.”

The online survey is open until the end of November 2021.

Animation: South Lanarkshire HSCP have prepared an animation to explain the rationale behind the plan and why views are sought. Visit: https://vimeo.com/598762784

Accessibility: The survey link is: https://bit.ly/2Vhoonq If you need the survey information in another language or format, please email Colette.Brown@southlanarkshire.gov.uk or phone 01698 453447

Frequently asked questions about the Strategic Commissioning Plan can be accessed on the partnership’s website: https://bit.ly/3zWdvX9

Mr Soumen Sengupta:

Soumen Sengupta took up the post of Director of Health and Social Care for South Lanarkshire in August 2021. Alongside being Chief Officer for the South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, he fulfils the role of: Director of Social Work Services for South Lanarkshire Council, with strategic responsibility for the Children and Justice Services. Director of Primary Care for NHS Lanarkshire, providing strategic leadership for pan-Lanarkshire Primary Care services.

His appointment as Director followed an extensive career in public health and in health and social care management; and his having led strategic transformation programmes at local, regional and national levels.

Soumen has a MSc in Public Health from the University of Aberdeen and an MBA from the University of Strathclyde.

Read more about where Soumen has come from and what drives him in this recent Q&A: https://bit.ly/38PirBp