Healthcare Improvement Scotland recognises the sustained financial and workforce pressures on health and social care services and that this may lead to the need to make some temporary changes in the immediate short-term to deliver care.

However, the statutory duty to involve people is as important as ever. NHS Boards and Integration Joint Boards have a statutory duty to involve people and communities in the planning and development of care services, and in decisions that will significantly affect how services are run.

The Scottish Government and COSLA Community Engagement and Participation Guidance – Planning with People recognises that some changes are made on a long-term or permanent basis while others are provided on a temporary basis.

This advice does not apply to planned service redesign. For these changes, please contact Healthcare Improvement Scotland to discuss the approach to engagement.