Mark Whitehead 05 January 2023

Drop national care plan, say Scottish councils

Drop national care plan, say Scottish councils image
Image: DGLimages/Shutterstock.com

Council leaders in Scotland have called for their Government’s plans for a new national care service to be dropped.

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities said setting up the service would be costly and disruptive during a time of financial crisis. Scottish ministers say it would produce the biggest and most valuable improvement in public services since the establishment of the NHS in 1947.

It would aim to merge social care, elderly care, family support and community healthcare into a single service.

But the proposals, which could be replicated in England if Labour wins the next general election, have been widely criticised for being poorly thought through, very costly and much more unwieldy than ministers admit.

The Scottish government estimates the scheme could cost between £664m and £1.26bn to establish over the next five years.

But Scotland’s councils, many run by the Scottish National Party, say it should not be pursued after they were told to expect a significant real-terms funding cut from April.

Paul Kelly, Cosla’s health and social care spokesperson, said: ‘Improvements to care could progress faster and with more impact if services were properly resourced and did not face the distraction of structural reform.

‘Instead, we are presented with reorganisation and real-terms cuts, which will have a significant impact on the delivery of care.’

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist

Oxfordshire County Council
£62215 - £72293
How about joining The Clinical Team at Oxfordshire County Council in our new Community Family Clinic initiative? Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Peripatetic Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£16,415.00 - £16,675.23 Grade 4, 24.5 hours, Permanent
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Peripatetic Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£14,070.00 - £14,293.05 Grade 4, 21 hours, Permanent
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Recruitment Support Officer

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) pay award pending
We are looking for a Recruitment Support Officer to join our team on a temporary basis until 31 March 2026. In this role, you will provide a comprehe Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner