IT was a home-from-home visit for Jeane Freeman, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, in Cumnock.

MSP Jeane was in the heart of her constituency and two minutes from her office, when she made a formal visit to Rothesay House in the town.

She met staff delivering the council’s award winning Adult Front Door Service which has been improving life quality for people and reducing demand on services.

A multidisciplinary team, working with community partners, has created a single point of access that connects people with community resources.

Where intervention is necessary, it then organises co-ordinated and efficient support which has meant that, since 2006, there have been no delayed hospital discharges.

Council staff work with community planning partners to encourage people to play an active role in managing and directing their health and care needs.

There has also been substantial work carried out to support carers and young carers to improve their health and wellbeing and have a life alongside their caring role.

Ms Freeman said: “This transformation in East Ayrshire is an excellent example of local health and social care partnerships working together with communities to rethink traditional care and grow support in their area.

“Shaping services with the people who use them is key to providing a high standard of care and as we announced earlier this month in our programme for government, we are undertaking a range of measures to ensure people get access to the right support, in the right place, at the right time, across Scotland.”

Douglas Reid, council leader, said he was pleased to be able to share our approach to delivering transformation and future sustainability with the cabinet minister.

He added: “We are ambitious for East Ayrshire and are committed to working with our communities to improve and sustain wellbeing and care, and to promote equity.

“Prevention and early intervention are critical and are key to our approach in managing demand, making the best use of our resources and securing the best outcomes for the people we serve.”