A union has called for a national care system which resembles the NHS to replace the “fragmented, crisis-riven” sector.

Unison says the pandemic has exposed the fault lines in the current model and substantial reform will be required to tackle “structural, financial and operational weaknesses”.

In a new strategy document, it sets out a UK-wide vision of improved regulation and government oversight, stringent UK-wide professional standards, robust workers’ rights, and long-term investment.

This would help create a “resilient” system which more resembles the NHS, the document says.

“Prior to the crisis, the care sector was already in a precarious state – as a result of chronic underfunding, an unstable market system and workforce shortages – with successive governments failing to take meaningful action.

“As a result, the needs of many of society’s most vulnerable people are not being met and care workers are too often left exposed to exploitation.”

Nearly half of the 4,000 covid-19 deaths in Scotland have been in care homes, raising concerns about the treatment and protection of residents during the pandemic.

A move towards a national care service has received increasing support in the wake of the covid crisis, including from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

However care representatives have warned against rushing to “glib solutions”, which could remove choices from people over what type of social care they receive.

Nearly nine out of ten care home places in Scotland are provided by the independent care sector, which includes private, voluntary and charitable care homes.

The Care After Covid: A Vision for Social Care report from Unison calls for significant funding to protect the elderly and disabled from covid-19 and any future crises and to create a “fit for purpose” care system.

The extra cash should be invested in the workforce, including making sure staff are paid at least the real living wage – currently £9.30 in Scotland.

Local councils should be funded so that they have the resources and expertise to step in and take over care homes – if providers go bust – and run care services themselves.

In the future, social care must become an important economic sector providing high-quality, well-paid jobs and no longer seen as a drain on the public purse, the report adds.

UNISON assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Social care is the forgotten frontline, but the time for talking is over. For too long the care system has been weighted towards price and profit.

“Nothing less than a national care service will suffice.”

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