People are being asked for their views on the future of social care in Scotland as an engagement process for a government review begins this week. 

Former NHS Scotland chief executive Derek Feeley is leading the review, which will consider the option of a national care service and report by January 2021.

The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, which has been invited to undertake the work, says this is a “unique opportunity” for organisations and individuals to make their voices heard.

The ALLIANCE says it supporting the review in three ways, all launching this week.

They include a series of events with organisations representing people using social care and by inviting comments so that individuals, families and carers can share their experiences and what they think needs to change.

A facilitation pack to help groups run their own engagement sessions is also being developed.

ALLIANCE Chief Executive Professor Ian Welsh OBE, who sits on the review group, said: “The ALLIANCE’s vision is that people have a strong voice, enjoy their right to live well, and are at the centre of decision making.

“We therefore welcome the opportunity to support engagement by the Independent Review of Adult Social Care, led by Derek Feeley.

“This work sits with our People at the Centre engagement programme – supporting engagement by the Scottish government’s Mobilisation Recovery Group – and provides a unique opportunity to listen to peoples’ views and use these to shape the independent review’s recommendations for social care that is better focused on the rights, needs and wishes of people, families, unpaid carers, as well as the vital role played by the third sector organisations that work for and with them.”

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