MSPs have today launched two consultations on the draft bill to establish a National Care Service (NCS), to better understand the hopes and fears of the public before officials decide whether to pass proposals into law.

Committees of the Scottish parliament, led by the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, have launched a detailed Call for Views primarily aimed at public groups and organisations.

Questions include whether the estimated costs and savings set out in the financial memorandum seem reasonable and whether people had sufficient time to contribute to the Scottish government’s consultation that preceded the Bill.

This follows concerns voiced about the short consultation period of the Bill, revealed by an independent evaluation of responses to the government’s consultation on the proposed social care.

The Scottish government has said much more detail of the proposed service will be outlined in future secondary legislation. The parliamentary committees are looking to see what people think about this approach and whether they perceive a lack of detail in the current Bill.

At a Scottish Policy Conference event in March, Social Care Minister Kevin Stewart said that beginning with framework legislation would allow the government “the opportunity at every stage to consult and to communicate and to collaborate in order to get that legislation absolutely spot on”.

A digital consultation predominantly aimed at members of the public, Your Priorities, has also been launched today that allows individuals to make brief comments and ask questions about specific parts of the Bill.

Speaking as the call for views was launched, Gillian Martin MSP, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, said:

“The creation of a National Care Service would see a huge reform in how care is delivered and accessed in Scotland, impacting people and organisations right across the country.

“In our lifetime, most of us will likely both give and receive care, and that’s why it’s absolutely vital that people’s voices are heard in relation to this proposed legislation, whether they have direct experience of receiving or delivering care, or not.

“We want to hear from organisations who will be impacted by these proposals, from staff who deliver care, to unpaid carers, those in receipt of care and the general public, on their hopes but also any concerns or questions they may have. Our consultation is open to all and we look forward to hearing your views.”

The Bill, published last month, will allow Ministers to transfer responsibility from local authorities to a new, national service overseen by a network of care boards.

The Bill will also introduce a right to break for carers, implement Anne’s Law to give adult care home residents more rights, and allow information sharing between the NHS and the new NCS.

On its publication, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Humza Yousaf said:

“People have told us they want a National Care Service, accountable to Scottish Ministers, with services designed and delivered locally. That’s exactly what we are going to deliver.

Representatives of member organisations can also request assistance from the parliament to set up local group discussions on the Bill before both consultation exercises close on the 2^nd of September.

Read more: Cool reception for NCS legislation; NCS Bill published; A rebuttal to the National Care Service discontents

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