Common use of Drivers for Change Clause in Contracts

Drivers for Change. The Caithness economy is fragile, with 12% dependent on the former Nuclear Power Station, Dounreay, which is now undergoing decommissioning with a loss of up to 2,000 jobs over the next 15 years. There are pockets of high deprivation, and 10% of the population lives in the most deprived 20% of areas in Scotland. In remote and rural Caithness there are pockets of disadvantaged individuals and households who live at some distance from service access points and struggle to access health and social care. A consequence of deprivation and poverty is generally poorer health and an increased demand for health and social care services. The population is ageing, and younger people of working age are migrating to urban areas, adding to our workforce pressures. In 2018 there were 26 people of working age for every 10 people over 65 years. By 2041 this is projected to reduce markedly to 15 people of working age for every 10 people over 65 years. Recruitment of nursing and social care staff in Caithness is challenging, with only two-thirds of posts filled on first advert. Locum and agency use is high, accounting for a significant overspend, and in Highland overall nearly 10% of consultant posts were vacant (March 2020). Half of the 600 staff employed in the Caithness area are over the age of 50.