Positive change is needed to tackle the underlying challenges that have been prevalent in our care system for decades but not by the creation of a National Care Service COSLA said today (Friday).

In submitting their response to the consultation on the establishment of a National Care Service COSLA also warned that a lack of clarity and detail in the document poses a real threat which would see a move away from the key principle that local systems, services and workforces are best placed to identify the specific needs of people and communities in their local authority area.

COSLA which represents every council in Scotland also said that much of the information that would be expected to support decision making on such a significant policy proposal does not yet exist. Adding that transformative change will not be achieved through the primarily structural change that the consultation is proposing and that in the context of a crisis in health and social care, change is needed by acting now to tackle the underlying challenges that have been prevalent in our care system for decades.

Councillor Stuart Currie COSLA’s Health and Social Care Spokesperson said:

“COSLA is as up for the positive change which is needed in the Adult Social Care Sector as we are for more investment in our essential public services.

“We also remain committed to working with the Scottish Government and partners to put in place immediate solutions to tackle the underlying causes of the issues identified by the Independent Review of Adult Social Care.

“We all have to recognise that urgent action is required now as our social care system continues to grapple with the impact of the pandemic and years of underinvestment. Constructive engagement must immediately take place with Local Government to ensure that our experience and knowledge of service delivery is clearly reflected in proposals as significant as those outlined in the consultation document. The consequences of not doing this are too serious for the communities we serve.”

Councillor Currie concluded:

“Throughout the pandemic the work of our Health and Social Care workforce was incredible and to come out with these proposals at this time as we begin to emerge from it flies in the face of all those efforts.”

Download link to COSLA Response – National Care Service Consultation (PDF, 407.83 KB)