As the Fit for the Future project comes to its close and we wait for the final output to launch, I asked members of the FF steering group to share their final reflections…
“In starting this project we were venturing into the unknown. We knew we wanted to support the private sector to be able to develop creative ways of providing support in the future but we were unsure what these would look like. We were also dependent on the goodwill and enthusiasm of the providers and other partners we were working with. Watching from the sidelines it has been a fascinating journey. Rhiann has done a brilliant job of navigating the highs and lows of the project and has juggled a whole range of initiatives across the four areas with calm aplomb in a way which at times left me reeling – that’s why we’ve snapped her up for our core team! Less exhilarating at times have been the challenges in many places in moving even the most modest changes forward – we need to be able to think beyond the first horizon. And I have to confess my disappointment when we asked for people’s visions for the future; we all need to be a bit bolder and allow our imagination to roam if we really are to ‘fly’”.
– Alison Petch, Director, IRISS
“I welcomed the opportunity to work closely with providers in North Lanarkshire. I hope that the learning and work we managed to complete is useful for others and is another step in the journey to reshape independent sector care services to be fit for the future..”
– Hilary Stevenson, Scottish Care Development Officer for North and South Lanarkshire
“I think the Fit for the future project has been a invaluable project for a number of key points:
- showing providers new service models to help them develop their services and workforce for the changing demographics of the future
- highlighting the real current issues for providers, both from a financial sustainability point but also the difficulties in trying new models without supportive regulators and commissioners
- by working together (providers, commissioners and other key stakeholders) we can make a difference
- small changes can influence bigger changes
My hope is that Scottish Government, COSLA, Care Inspectorate, JIT and other organisation see the independent sector as a valuable asset, and ensure it is sustainably funded so enable providers to have the capacity and confidence to develop services, invest in staff development, training and leadership which is essential when instigating change.”
– Anna Houston, Manager, Carewatch Care Services
“Not only does 2014 draw to a close but also the Fit for the Future project comes to its conclusion. When we began this at the end of 2013 I really did not know where it would lead, the initial outline being so wide in its scope, but with the drive and innovative thinking of the project lead, the enthusiasm and commitment of the service providers, we managed not one, but two, entirely separate projects in West Lothian. We have the Care Home Lab and the Care at Home service redesign, both excellent projects in their own right. Although Fit for the Future is officially coming to an end the work in both services participating in the projects continues with the providers continuing to develop the improvements within their own areas. Taking into account the commitment already shown I am sure they will be successful. I also hope that other providers will read the Project report and be inspired to try and improve their own services.”
– Robert Telfer, Scottish Care Development Officer for West Lothian and Renfrewshire
“As someone who was part of the creation of Fit for the Future in its conceptual days, I am delighted that it has fully met my expectations of it. It has used innovation and creative thinking in the process, in the development of better outcomes for people and in negotiation with and persuasion of providers in the independent sector. It has embraced challenges and occasional ‘failures’ as lessons learned and it has developed eminently useful information and tools for future use.”
– David Rennie, Workforce Consultant who manages Workforce Matters