Health and social care bosses in Renfrewshire have admitted they cannot deliver millions of pounds in planned savings because people still need the care they receive.
The issue was raised during a meeting of the Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Integration Joint Board, held on Friday, 30th January 2026 in the Council Chambers.
Board members were told that £2.26 million of previously agreed savings linked to reviewing and reducing care packages will not be delivered. Officials said detailed reviews showed that, in many cases, people’s needs had not changed significantly and support could not be safely reduced06.
Senior officers stressed that decisions were based on assessed need rather than financial targets, and that care would not be removed simply to balance budgets.
The board heard that while reviews of care packages continue as standard practice, the expectation that large savings could be achieved through reductions is no longer realistic given the complexity and level of need among service users.
Members acknowledged the financial pressure facing health and social care services but agreed that protecting frontline support must remain the priority, even where this limits the ability to make savings.
The admission comes as the partnership continues to face significant budget challenges, with rising demand, workforce pressures and long-term sustainability concerns dominating discussions on future service planning.