Site Visit to Glasgow: An International Perspective on the management of Integrated Health and Social Care in Scotland

The DISS Network, the community of District Health and Social Care Directors from SDA Bocconi, with the unconditional support of Viatris, recently took an important step forward in its journey of professional growth and peer exchange through a site visit to Glasgow, Scotland. This trip, coordinated by the International Foundation for Integrated Care (Scotland hub), was part of the Network’s portfolio of innovative activities, offering participants the opportunity to closely examine some of the most advanced organizational models and integration strategies in health and social care at the European level.

On the first day, at Commonwealth House, participants explored the Scottish context, which is characterized by a strong drive toward the integration of healthcare and social care services. Critical topics included the reform of primary care, structured partnerships with the third sector, approaches to planning and delivering social services, and the implementation of digital and organizational innovations.

The visit continued with an in-depth tour of the Stirling Health & Care Village, a cutting-edge center for intermediate and subacute care. Here, District Directors visited the Bellfield Centre, a key facility for rehabilitation and post-acute care. Special focus was given to the Community Reach and START teams, which deliver integrated mental health and rehabilitation services across the region.

In the afternoon, the group visited NHS Lanarkshire, gaining insight into the Flow Navigation Center—an organizational model designed to optimize flow and patient management in urgent care pathways. One of the most impactful experiences was the presentation of the Hospital at Home program, which provides hospital-level care directly to patients in their homes, helping to reduce pressure on healthcare facilities and promote continuity of care. Discussions also addressed strategies for managing frailty and developing professional skills at the local level.

This site visit proved to be a highly enriching experience, reaffirming the value of international perspectives and direct engagement with systems that approach common challenges with diverse tools and solutions.

The Scottish visit fits within the broader vision that defines the very identity of the DISS Network. It is not merely a place for meetings, but a living, dynamic community created to promote peer-to-peer exchange in a non-institutional yet highly qualified environment, supported by an academic institution. Over time, the Network has developed into a continuous space for dialogue, enriched by in-person meetings, digital platform interactions, and contributions from national and international experts. In this context, site visits and study tours are key moments: unique opportunities to witness innovation firsthand, engage with agents of change, and bring back practical insights for the evolution of local health and social care services. The Glasgow visit stands as a compelling example of this vision in action.

SDA Bocconi School of Management

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