Labour says the SNP want to 'cloak their own failures in secrecy' amid a lack of information on the National Care Service
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Scottish Labour has warned that social care is 'at breaking point' as the Holyrood finance committee demands answers on the financing of the SNP’s National Care Service plan.
The committee has said that it needs a new financial memorandum from Social Care Minister Maree Todd, who is also a Highland MSP, no later than May 12 because it is 'becoming increasingly concerned' at the lack of information available on the financial implications.
Warnings first emerged last October that the Highlands is dealing with a social care crisis amid a wave of care home closures.
Nationally a new report revealed that as of April 17 more than 6700 Scots were waiting for a social care assessment and 4100 were waiting for care at home packages, with 39,000 hours of care at home yet to be provided for people who have received an assessment.
Labour called on the government to set aside its National Care Service plans and instead focus on supporting social care services and staff.
The party’s social care spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “Thousands of Scots are stuck in limbo waiting for social care assessments or waiting for social care packages, but all the SNP has to offer them is their bungled plans for a National Care Service.
“That the finance committee has been forced to send this letter to break the silence from the SNP is truly shocking.
“Not a day seems to go by without the SNP attempting to cloak their own failures in secrecy.
“Social care in Scotland is at breaking point and a centralising SNP power grab won’t help.
“We need support for services and fair pay for dedicated social care workers, who have gone above and beyond to keep this crisis at bay.
“The SNP must set aside their botched plans and instead focus on delivering the change social care really needs.”
Ms Todd said: “Work is under way on an update to the Financial Memorandum, and we will respond to the committee in due course."
She added: “The Scottish Government recognises the value of adult social care support from home to all who require additional help in living independently at home or in the community.
“An adult social care support assessment can be asked for at any time. It can be provided in a person’s home or in the community and can include a wide range of support including personal care, technology enabled care, day services, respite support to take part in activities, and support around the house.
“Being at home or in a community setting is in the best interests of anyone who no longer has any clinical need to be in hospital. We’re working closely with partners to reduce delays in getting people to the most suitable place for their care and support.
“Social Care Support, as a sector, has been hit by a triple whammy of staffing hit by Brexit, the pandemic, and rising costs of energy and inflation. Hospital at Home and Care at Home funding has increased, and £200 million was provided to increase the hourly rate in social care support.”
