Council / Money wasted on ‘ill-fated’ national care service bill, council leader says
NEWS that the Scottish Government is scrapping a key part of its national care service proposal has been welcomed locally.
Shetland Islands Council (SIC) leader Emma Macdonald said “money wasted on this ill-fated bill could have been invested in improving services”.
The National Care Service (NCS), proposed by the SNP government, has been a largely unpopular suggestion locally – with the council currently running the majority of the isles’ care homes.
Under the national plans, however, the isles’ care homes would be taken under a national framework.
That had led to concerns about a “one size fits all” approach not suiting Shetland.
On Thursday Scottish social care minister Maree Todd confirmed the government would be revising its NCS proposal as there was not enough support from MSPs.
The government will still look to pass through some parts of the proposed legislation, but controversial plans for a national care board have been dropped in favour of an advisory body.
One aspect still being pledged by the government for example is “Anne’s Law”, which would allow care home residents to be visited by a named person even when visiting restrictions are in place.
Macdonald said she welcomed “the fact that we have some clarity around the direction the Scottish Government are taking” with the planned national care service.
“It’s long been felt by me and the council that the original plans of a one size fits all approach would not benefit our services,” she said.
“Back in 2021 in my role as depute leader we submitted a motion to council expressing our concern around the proposals of a national care service.
“We have engaged with the Scottish Government during the last four years to continue to make the case that we need to focus on improving the outcomes for people rather than the structure, and that we shouldn’t try and fix the problems of one area at the detriment of another.”
The Shetland North councillor added while the “minister spoke about integration not being a success we know that isn’t the case here in Shetland”.
She said the council works well in Shetland with the NHS, “and everyone is focused on the people who receive care rather than who is delivering it”.
“There are many positive elements that can come in what is proposed such as reforms in shared information and we want to see this move at pace,” Macdonald added.
“We know our system isn’t perfect but I’ve always felt that those closest to the people who are using the services should be making decision. We care about our services as it’s our friends and family who rely on them.
“I hope that as we move forward the Scottish Government invest in the social care sector and they see the need to treat it with parity to health.
“There is little point in focusing on the NHS if you don’t have investment in local government, keeping people well for longer and out of hospital should be as important as treating them when they are in hospital.
“The money wasted on this ill-fated bill could have been invested in improving services.
“We have fantastic staff in Shetland who work incredibly hard in our social care settings who want to provide the very best level of care for people.
“Hopefully we will see more focus on how we can work with government to improve the outcomes for the people who rely on our services, and how we can continue to ensure people want to work in this vital area.”
Last year local Green councillor Alex Armitage said he was “fully in support” of his party’s decision to no longer back the National Care Service bill.
However, there has been a recognition that some parts of the bill could have benefits for Shetland.
SIC corporate director Christine Ferguson previously said she felt there was a lot that the Scottish Government was suggesting in terms of care reform “that could be really positive” for the isles.
In a statement released by the government on Thursday, social care minister Todd said: “We want to deliver a national care service that improves the experience of everyone who relies on social care, social work and community health in Scotland.
“Change is urgently needed to reform the social care sector in Scotland but it has to be meaningful and sustainable change.
“That’s why we paused the bill for further consideration, to fully capture the views expressed by all stakeholders, members of the public and the parliament.
“The advisory board will include people with lived experience of social care, ensuring it has those who access services at its heart. It will allow us to drive forward vital reform more quickly than our original proposals.
“The bill gives adult care home residents a legal right to see their loved ones with the implementation of Anne’s Law and recognises the significant contribution of unpaid carers to Scotland’s communities by introducing a right to breaks.
“There will be enhanced information-sharing to improve the coordination of individuals’ care, and we will work in partnership with the sector to bring forward reform that future-proofs the social work service in Scotland.
“People need sustainable change to social care and these actions will allow that to happen as quickly as possible.”
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