Health & Care
There is much more to health & wellbeing than statutory services, and the third sector plays a major part on a community level.
Midlothian Community Action contributes to the Midlothian Community Planning Partnership, working closely with the Midlothian Integration Joint Board (IJB) and Midlothian Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP). The vision in Midlothian is that by working together as a Community Planning Partnership, people and communities will be able to live healthier, safer, and greener lives by 2030.
MCA contributes towards reduction of inequalities, promotion of preventative projects and early intervention approaches, and helps increase influence in decision making amongst communities.
MCA promotes volunteering opportunities with a strong focus on social and green prescribing.
A Green Social Prescription is a way to improve your health and wellbeing by connecting with nature and the outdoors. Your healthcare provider (for example your GP, physiotherapist, or pharmacist) may recommend spending time outdoors as part of your care. This could include:
- Joining local nature-based groups
- Trying specific outdoor activities
- Receiving referrals to community or wellbeing professionals for additional support
For more information please check the Midspace website.
Midlothian Integration Joint Board (IJB)
The Midlothian Integration Joint Board (IJB) is a planning and decision-making body responsible for more than 60 health and social care services delegated by NHS Lothian and Midlothian Council.
MCA works with the IJB through the Joint Working Agreement. MCA’s Third Sector Representative, Magdalena Clark, sits on the Board and is Vice-Chair of the Strategic Planning Group.
You can view IJB meeting papers and agendas on the IJB webpage on the Midlothian Council website by selecting the relevant meeting date. IJB strategic documents, reports and other information are also available on their website.
Feedback from third sector organisations is welcome and encouraged. Please contact magdalena.clark@mca.scot with any comments.
From 1 September 2026, more IJB members will have voting rights in decisions about local health and social care services. This follows the Scottish Parliament’s approval, in February 2026, of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Integration Joint Boards) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2025.
The amendment order updates previous rules on who can vote on IJBs. It extends voting rights to unpaid carer, service user and third sector representatives. These representatives bring lived experience and community insight into decisions about accessing and delivering health and social care services.
Feedback helps ensure a strong, independent Third Sector voice in strategic forums, including:
- sharing Third Sector priorities;
- providing feedback on key Midlothian IJB planning and activity;
- highlighting Third Sector contributions that improve the health and wellbeing of people and communities in Midlothian.
Midlothian Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP)
The Midlothian Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP) are governed by the Midlothian IJB, their role is to plan and direct services that are delegated to them. The HSCP don’t directly employ or run any services, these services are delivered by others working in partnership – NHS Lothian, Midlothian Council, Third sector and Independent organisations, and unpaid carers.
Midlothian HSCP leads the ‘Midlothian will be Healthier’ priority within the Community Planning Partnership Plan.
The HSCP also works with MCA on programmes such as the Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund and wider engagement and participation activity, such as the Third Sector Summit.
Midlothian Third Sector Summit
The Third Sector Summit brings together HSCP staff and third sector organisations to:
- strengthen equal partnership working
- share practice and insights
- explore challenges and opportunities
- support collaborative approaches to improving health & wellbeing
Since 2018 the Third Sector Summit has helped build relationships and shape joint solutions. Plans to develop a more interactive format for future gatherings are underway.
The Spring 2025 Third Sector Summit focused on the financial challenges facing the third sector and HSCP, and offered valuable insights into the future landscape of service provision within the third sector. View the Spring 2025 Third Sector Summit report, action plan, and terms of reference below.
Upcoming Third Sector Summits:
Autumn 2026 TSS – closed, invitation only event – 17th November 2026.
Third Sector Health & Care Newsletter
MCA publish a newsletter to improve information sharing between third sector health and care orientated organisations, community groups, and HSCP. This also ensures Third Sector’s engagement with the planned HSCP Transformation and Change Programme Board priorities, and the Transformation Plan.
Download previous editions of the Third Sector Health & Care Newsletter below: