Health scheme on brink of collapse

Glasgow’s pioneering model of merging social work and frontline healthcare to save hundreds of millions of pounds is on the verge of collapse, The Herald can reveal.

The future of the groundbreaking community health care partnership (CHCP) system, often cited as a model for the rest of Scotland, has been thrown into doubt after the reluctance of the city council to commit to £400 million up front despite an agreement from last year.

The council wants its contribution, which would be added to a £490m share from the health service, paid in stages and will agree to this approach at its executive committee tomorrow.

However, the authority has been told by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that this could make the CHCP plans “unworkable”.

A senior CHCP source said: “I believe there’s now a serious threat that the whole thing could break down and be disbanded.” Read more..