Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 12 March 2025
12 Mar 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
North East Scotland Health and Social Care Partnerships (Funding)
Health and Social Care
I recently met Aberdeenshire responders for care at home in Huntly and Banchory. Seventy per cent of responders now face reduced hours, demotion to lower-paid and junior roles or—even worse—redundancy. Despite that, the responders’ concern was for the people for whom they care. Many had suggestions for savings but were never asked. Now, they are gagged from social media, and some are even forbidden from coming to see me, their MSP.
Every integration joint board in Scotland has told Neil Gray that it will not be possible to sustain existing levels of care across all services. Has the Government given up caring?
In the same item of business
2. Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Con)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will outline its funding strategy for health and social care partnerships in the North East Scotland region. (S6O-0...
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Neil Gray)
SNP
Although the Scottish Government has overall responsibility for social care policy in Scotland, it is for local authorities and health boards to ensure that ...
Alexander Burnett
Con
I recently met Aberdeenshire responders for care at home in Huntly and Banchory. Seventy per cent of responders now face reduced hours, demotion to lower-pai...
Neil Gray
SNP
Absolutely not. I recognise the concern that has been outlined. I am extremely concerned by what Alexander Burnett narrated about the ability of members of s...
Mercedes Villalba (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
For 30 years, Home-Start schemes in Aberdeenshire have been supporting families with young children who experience any of a range of health and social diffic...
Neil Gray
SNP
I return to the fact that decisions are made based on local decision-making prioritisation. It is for local authorities and health boards to ensure that heal...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
With the reminder that the question is about partnerships in the North East Scotland region, I call Bill Kidd for a supplementary question .
Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP)
SNP
I will cancel it. Thank you very much.