A former chief medical officer for Scotland has put his name to a call for private providers to be removed from a “not for profit” social care system in an independent Scotland.

The SNP’s Social Justice and Fairness Commission, which includes Sir Harry Burns, has published a report saying that opportunities to buy out private care homes should be considered.

The group, which is chaired by former health secretary Shona Robison, who is now back in the Cabinet leading on social justice, was asked to look at policies to create a fairer country if Scotland leaves the UK.

The panel of MSPs, party activists and experts recommended a new approach to policy, human rights and a focus on measuring wellbeing not economic growth.

In a section on social care reform, the commission argues a “significant shift away from private sector dominance of the care home sector” is needed.

While it acknowledges the importance of choice, the report calls for a “clear plan and timescale to limit the role of private providers,” with services shifting to public and third sector operators. Private services would become “primarily focused on specialist care settings”.

The report states: “Consideration would also need to be given to opportunities to buy out private providers over time.

“Such changes would require significant public sector capital and revenue investment in care services.”

The publication of the report comes just months after a comprehensive review of adult social care – that effectively concluded the opposite – was endorsed by the SNP.

The group chaired by former head of the NHS in Scotland, Derek Feeley, said that nationalising the care sector would be “unaffordable…[and] hugely time-consuming” – and not improve outcomes for people using care.

Instead it suggested that private providers should have to meet more stringent standards, including on staff pay and conditions.

In advance of the Feeley review being published then health secretary Jeane Freeman had signalled that she did not support a state-run care service.

The potential shift in the party’s position with the publication of the Commission’s report was welcomed by the Scottish Trades Union Congress.

General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “We strongly support the position that the care system should be publicly funded and not for profit.

“Accepting this key aspect of Scottish Trades Union Congress policy is a critical step forward from the SNP manifesto and we look forward to being part of the debate on how that is delivered as unions also press for swift action to uplift care worker pay rates and introduce collective bargaining.”

Speaking about their report, the Commission’s depute convener Neil Gray MSP said. “The proposals we set out are only options. Whether all or any of them are taken forward are political decisions and choices for future governments in Scotland to make.

“The time and pace of any such change will be determined by future Scottish governments according to the circumstances of the day.”

 

Read more: Thinktank: Feeley plans not true National Care Service; ‘Covid showed ministers should be in charge of care’; Social care review: What does the report say?