The Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) was scheduled to discuss a range of strategic and performance-related items at its meeting. These included a review of contracts and service level agreements, a response to the Edinburgh Safer Drug Consumption Facility Feasibility Study, and the EIJB's annual performance report. The board was also expected to discuss financial updates and operating arrangements.

Review of Contracts and Service Level Agreements

The EIJB was scheduled to consider a report on the review of its contracts and service level agreements (SLAs), aiming to address a £31 million budget gap. The review covered contracts worth approximately £27m annually, including block contracts and SLAs with third sector organisations.

The review process assessed each contract based on whether it provided services directly linked to the EIJB's delegated functions, delivered statutory services, aligned with the EIJB's priorities, and demonstrated a positive return on investment.

The report outlined five potential recommendations for each contract or SLA: no change, reduce value, recommission, do not renew on expiry, or cancel.

The report recommended reducing expenditure by £1.26 million annually, with £0.39 million achievable in the current financial year. It was noted that this fell short of the original savings target of £2.2 million. The report pack stated that the shortfall occurred because the evidence obtained from the evaluation of block contracts and service level agreements did not support recommendations for greater reductions.

The report pack stated that, as a matter of courtesy, EHSCP officers wrote to all contract and SLA holders to advise them of the recommendations contained in this paper before this information was released into the public domain.

The report pack noted the intention to recommission contracts and service level agreements.

The report recommended that the EIJB agree to issue directions to the City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian to give formal notice of reduction or cancellation to affected providers, in line with individual contract or service level agreement terms and conditions.

The potential impacts of reducing or ceasing contracts and SLAs were evaluated via a series of Integrated Impact Assessments (IIAs). The report pack stated that the completed IIAs are available to view on the EHSCP website.

Edinburgh Safer Drug Consumption Facility Feasibility Study

The EIJB was scheduled to discuss a report on responding to the Edinburgh Safer Drug Consumption Facility Feasibility Study. The EIJB Strategic Plan includes a commitment to developing a business case for a Safer Drug Consumption Facility (SDCF) in Edinburgh for consideration by the Scottish Government.

The report outlined a proposed service model and noted that full costings could not be produced without identifying a definitive location, which would require a public consultation.

The report recommended that the EIJB agree for officers to produce a plan for a public consultation, including the location for a Safer Drug Consumption Facility, for consideration by the Strategic Planning Group in November 2025.

The report noted that the Scottish Government requires a business case informed by a public consultation to determine if funding will be made available for a Safer Drug Consumption Facility in Edinburgh.

The report mentioned that, with funding from the Scottish Government, Scotland's first SDCF opened in Glasgow in January 2025.

The report stated that officers from EHSCP have worked collaboratively with colleagues from NHS Lothian, City of Edinburgh Council, and people with lived and living experience to develop an outline for what a SDCF would look like in Edinburgh.

The report stated that such a public consultation will attract substantial attention and raise both hopes and fears within different communities.

EIJB Annual Performance Report 2024/25

The EIJB was scheduled to consider the EIJB Annual Performance Report (APR) 2024/25. The APR provides a summary of progress against key projects undertaken over the last year under each of the EIJB's strategic priorities, as well as key performance indicators.

The report included a dedicated section on performance against the Core Indicators and Ministerial Strategic Group (MSG) indicators.

The report noted that overall performance in 2024/25 was positive, with most measures performing in the top half of partnerships and showing improved or steady rankings compared to the previous year.

The report recommended that the EIJB approve the publication of the APR 2024/25.

Financial Update – Quarter 1 2025/26

The EIJB was scheduled to receive a financial update for Quarter 1 2025/26. The report indicated a projected year-end overspend of £12.7m, driven largely by financial pressures in hosted and set aside services. High occupancy in the Royal Edinburgh Hospital was identified as the single largest contributory factor.

The report noted offsetting factors impacting the position on core services operated by the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, including slippage in block contract savings and cost increases following the closure of some independent care homes.

The report recommended that the EIJB note the forecast financial position for delegated services for 2024/25.

Edinburgh Integration Joint Board Operating Arrangements

The EIJB was scheduled to discuss a report providing an update on the results of a survey asking EIJB members their views on meeting venue arrangements, webcasting arrangements, quality of EIJB papers and general operating arrangements.

The report recommended that the EIJB:

• Agree to move the EIJB meetings from the City Chambers to a community venue as soon as practical.
• Agree to continue with existing hybrid and webcasting arrangements.
• Note that officers will implement operational improvements to ensure that reports include key context, papers are published in line with Standing Orders and that Integrated Impact Assessments (IIA) links are contained within the report.
• Agree that officers consider and bring back a proposal in relation to management of papers and officer attendance and management of written deputations as part of the EIJB's consideration of the governance handbook in December 2025.
• Note progress with a carer representative on the EIJB.
• Agree to implement regular engagement sessions in advance of formal board meetings to improve board cohesion and morale and ensure that there is EIJB Teams template with name and role.

The report noted that officers are working in collaboration with VOCAL to look at opportunities to promote the work of the EIJB and the carer role on the EIJB with an information session planned for carer in collaboration with VOCAL.

Committee Update Report

The EIJB was scheduled to note the work of its committees covering May and June 2025. This included updates from the Performance and Delivery Committee, the Audit and Assurance Committee, and the Clinical and Care Governance Committee.

The Performance and Delivery Committee discussed the financial outturn for 2024/25, the annual review of directions, the strategic performance report, social care benchmarking data, financial regulations, and the review of the reserves policy.

The Audit and Assurance Committee considered the governance report, the unaudited annual accounts for the EIJB, the review of the audit and assurance terms of reference, the EIJB and EHSCP risk registers, an internal audit update, and a report on internal audit actions.

The Clinical and Care Governance Committee discussed the Clinical and Care Governance Assurance Report (Quarter 4), the application of an approach to clinical risk management, a health and safety update, Care Inspectorate reports, the 2024/25 Annual Assurance Statement, and the Supervision Policy and Procedure.

Appointments to the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board

The EIJB was scheduled to note the reappointment of Katharina Kasper as the Lead Voting Member on the EIJB, from 27 June 2025, the extension of Elizabeth Gordon's appointment as a Voting Member of the EIJB, to 31 July 2025, the appointment of Dr Patricia Cantley as a Voting Member of the EIJB, from 1 August 2025, and the reappointment of Dr Robin Balfour as a Non-Voting Member of the EIJB, from 1 October 2025 until the 30 June 2026. The EIJB was also scheduled to consider suitable appointments to the NHSL Voting member vacancies on the EIJB Audit and Assurance Committee and EIJB Clinical and Care Governance Committee.

Rolling Actions Log

The EIJB was scheduled to review the rolling actions log. The rolling actions log included actions relating to a savings programme from March 2025. One action requested that officers work with carer organisations to bring a report to the IJB setting out a strategy for the provision of replacement care. Another action requested that officers provide a briefing note on how the HSCP are meeting the requirements of the Carers (Scotland) Act.

Annual Cycle of Business

The EIJB was scheduled to agree the annual cycle of business. The annual cycle of business included the EIJB Risk Register, Calendar of meetings, Board assurance annual report, Review of Governance Handbook, Committee Escalation Report, All Party Motion Update report, Chief Risk Officer, Appointments Report, EIJB Operating Arrangements, Grants Programme / Public Social Partnership, Digital and Data Strategy, Drug Consumption Room, Annual Review of Directions, Directions Policy, Revised Strategic Plan, Mental Health Commissioning Plan, Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership Strategy, Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership Annual Report, Rationalisation of Block Contracts and Service Level Agreements, Report on Older Peoples Pathway, Drumbrae Feasibility Study / Drumbrae report, Reform of Serious Mental Illness Pathway, Liberton Hospital Reprovision to Ellens Glen House, Medium Term Financial Strategy, Finance Update, Savings and Recovery Plan, EIJB Annual Accounts, Annual Performance Report, Preparation for Winter, Chief Social Work Annual Report, Committee Update Report, Annual Cycle of Business, Chief Officer Update Report.