Yesterday’s long-awaited review into the future of adult social care in Scotland has been widely welcomed – here healthandcare.scot takes a look at some of the reactions of organisations working in the sector.

 

“It has not disappointed”

The review speaks with “a voice of realism and authenticity to the challenges facing the social care sector”, says Scottish Care, with the organisation representing independent providers agreeing “the time is now right for major change”.

Scottish Care does however say more needs to be done on the cost of any reforms, particularly on how to mitigate the impact of care accommodation fees on those needing residential support.

Read more on Scottish Care’s full response here.

 

“We are delighted to see the recommendation to end non-residential social care charges”

Representing some of those worst affected by the pandemic, Alzheimer Scotland Chief Executive Henry Simmons praised calls for a preventative approach and individual choice, and particularly action on early diagnosis and post diagnostic support for people with dementia – a pressing issue given the number of dementia deaths occurring in Scotland is expected to double over the next 20 years.

He added: “We are delighted to see the recommendation to end non-residential social care charges and to tackle the inequality that we have exposed in charges for people with dementia living in residential care by increasing the levels of free personal and nursing care.

“We would like to see further details on this particular recommendation, as it is our main objective to bring an end to this inequality.

“We hope the Scottish government will fully commit to implementing the recommendations around social care charges and we look forward to hearing any proposed timescales for implementation, which will be vital in helping accelerate an end to this inequality.”

 

“The debate about a National Care Service must not become a bunfight”

As the membership body for third sector providers, the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS) has welcomed the recommendations on reforming commissioning and procurement processes that it has criticised in the past.

The organisation’s Chief Executive Annie Gunner Logan said the report should not be allowed to become a “bunfight” between politicians:

“Reform of social care in Scotland is long overdue. The pandemic has exposed fault lines which require radical overhaul and long-term change. It has also revealed what can be achieved when obstacles are removed in a crisis.

“We are heartened by the direction of travel set out… The challenge now must be to turn aspiration into implementation. Change is needed urgently but how it is achieved matters too.

“The debate about a National Care Service must not become a bunfight at the expense of those who provide social care and the people they support. The upcoming election period provides an opportunity to discuss the review’s recommendations openly and widely.”

 

“It is the right thing to do but just in the wrong order”

Robert Kilgour, Executive Chair of one of Scotland’s largest care home groups, had previously voiced concern that the review could be used as a means for a government takeover of the sector.

He has welcomed the review but warned “the devil will be in the detail”.

“I am supportive of scrutiny and transparency across the sector as long as the same approach is applied across both the independent and the public care sectors.

“What I do not agree with however, is the timing of the report. Last summer, ahead of the second wave, I called for a public inquiry and we owe it to those who have tragically lost their lives, and their loved ones, to ensure that this inquiry does happen.

“This review would have been much more valuable following this, and also held at a time when we were not fighting hard against a second wave of Covid-19, but with that said I have a positive attitude to it

“It is the right thing to do but just in the wrong order.

“It is extremely important that these proposed changes level out the playing field between NHS and social care. A fairer balance of value is long overdue and radical change is definitely needed.”

 

“It’s hard not to read this report and have a real sense of hope”

While it backs the report, the Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector (GCVS) said the challenge will be overcoming a “deeply ingrained” and “pervasive” gap that exists in Scotland between warm words and actual change.

“We have some concern that we may end up focusing on structures and processes rather than genuine change – that we don’t learn from our experiences of integration of health and care and previous reforms.”

“However” they say, “it is hard not to read this report and have a real sense of hope, of all of us being at a crossroads.”

“Eligibility, bureaucracy, issues around transition, charging, a focus on life and limb rather than helping people to live their best life – the desperation and struggles faced by families who look for assistance” are some of the challenges endemic in social care that GCVS praises the review for acknowledging “extensively”.

 

“Social care is an investment in the nation and should be recognised as such”

An opportunity to be grabbed by both hands is how Age Scotland characterised the review.

Following the first wave of covid where social care cuts were widespread, the charity had called for an investigation into “extremely concerning” excess deaths that included a steep rise in people dying with dementia.

Chief Executive Brian Sloan said: “We know that the idea of a National Care Service has meant many things to many different people and while the review doesn’t advocate for national ownership of social care provision, the reforms it recommends are wide ranging and bold.

“It includes many things which we have been calling for: increased financial investment, equity of access, choice, human rights and people at its heart, considerable changes to charging arrangements, improved opportunities and conditions for staff, and more government responsibility and accountability.

“Social care is an investment in the nation and should be recognised as such. It couldn’t be clearer that more of the same will just not do.”

 

“Health and social care needs cannot be separated”

Susan Aitkenhead, Director of the Royal College of Nursing Scotland said: “Those with lived experience have demonstrated that health and social care needs cannot be separated.

“The role of nursing is fundamental in helping to meet these needs, in the response to this review, and the actions that follow.

“As the review highlights, the pandemic has brought into sharp focus many of the long-standing problems that those receiving and working in adult social care have faced.”