FORMER environment minister Ross Finnie will help shape health and social care services in Inverclyde as part of a new board.

The new Inverclyde Integration Board – bringing together both council and NHS services – met for the first time yesterday.

Lib Dem Mr Finnie was one of the longest serving ministers in the Scottish Parliament and has been appointed to sit on the new board by the NHS.

He will join convenor Councillor Joe McIlwee and interim chief officer Brian Moore as they take responsibility for improving the quality of frontline health and social care services.

Cllr McIlwee said: “We already have a proven track record with the former Community Health and Care Partnership of delivering quality care and services when and where they are needed.

“The new board has responsibility for all health and social care budgets – including specified budgets within the acute sector – and its key responsibility will be to plan for all health and social care needs of the people in Inverclyde.” Vice chair Ken Winter said: “I welcome this important development which will help us to build on existing partnership working in Inverclyde.

“The new board will ensure the quality of services are maintained and improvements made in how people with health and social care needs are supported in our communities.” The new Integration Joint Board is a separate legal entity from the health board and Inverclyde Council and has been brought about by new legislation integrating health and social care.