Meeting of the Parliament 27 November 2024
I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate and will reiterate points that have been expressed by colleagues.
It comes as no surprise to us that the social care sector is in crisis and that we must address the pressures as a matter of urgency. The ambitions and efforts behind the introduction of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill were driven by a profound recognition of that urgent need. Its core aim was to address the long-standing issues that are plaguing the system, including unequal access to care, inconsistent standards and lack of fairness and sustainability in the delivery of care across Scotland.
Initially, the plans followed a bold commitment to delivering compassionate person-centred care, with the aim of ensuring reform in key areas, including enhanced support for unpaid carers, care home visitation rights and efforts to improve the experience of the social work and social care workforce.
Back in June 2023, COSLA leaders and Scottish ministers reached an initial agreement on shared accountability for the NCS that would have seen councils retaining their core responsibilities and workforce, while a new NCS national board would be created to provide enhanced strategic leadership and oversight. I mention that to underline the fact that those developments were part of a larger process and efforts to ensure support across the board.
Although I welcomed and consistently demonstrated my support for the ambition to create a fairer system, the bill in its current form raises significant concerns. It lacks clarity on how statutory responsibilities will be shared between national and local bodies, and it leaves questions about accountability and service delivery. The bill risks the removal of key local decision making and local accountability, while introducing new complexities that risk further aggravating the situation. The past months have seen increasing opposition to and concern about the NCS bill from key partners, and I believe that any reform must be backed by key stakeholders, and that its being unable to move is to their detriment.
I will also take a moment to acknowledge that several organisations are disappointed by the further delays to the bill and by a process that has come to resemble a bureaucratic dispute between different levels of government and parties. We cannot afford to let the situation slip, but must ensure that we remain focused on delivering on the commitments and pledges that have been made throughout the process.
The establishment of a national care service must be informed by the voices of lived experience, including those who access support and care, the workforce and unpaid carers. Progress in fair work for the social care workforce must continue as a priority, in tandem with any potential transformation.
The plans must also enjoy broad support from stakeholders who are meant to be at the forefront of delivery. We also want to ensure that ethical commissioning is a core part of the service and we are concerned about that not being included in amendments at stage 2.