All integration authorities have a duty to involve stakeholders and ensure that they are consulted and have a say on planning the future of health and social care services.

The committee wants to establish to what extent organisations are involved in the decision making of the integration authorities and what information is being consulted on.

Integration authorities also have a duty to ensure that decisions made locally have a contribution from stakeholders from local areas such as health and care workers and the third sector. The extent to which local communities are involved is also under investigation.

Convener of the health and sport committee, Neil Findlay MSP, said: “One of the reasons behind integrating health and social care was to ensure that the patient was put at the heart of all services – regardless of who was providing it. We want to establish how well this vision is being delivered on in practice.

“It is important that from the onset the new authorities utilise the knowledge and skills of all those partners in the delivery of health and social care. We want to see how that is being achieved and understand the many ways in which collaboration can improve the delivery of services to the public.

“It’s right that patients, carers, NHS staff, social care staff and the third sector do get a say in the future of health and social services and how these are being delivered. We hope to establish how well this is happening.”

The committee is seeking the views of those with an interest in this issue and is asking:

The deadline for the call for evidence is March 8.