Sturgeon announces plan for National Care Service

Nicola Sturgeon has announced a review of adult social care with the aim of creating a National Care Service in Scotland.

The First Minister said the service could be a “lasting and positive legacy” from the coronavirus crisis.

Ms Sturgeon told MSPs during her Programme for Government speech that the pandemic has “underlined the need for improvement and reform” of the care sector and the Government needed to be “bold” to improve the system.

She said: “The quality of adult social care is something that matters deeply to us all. This is a moment to be bold and to build a service fit for the future.

Let us resolve that we will build out of this Covid-19 crisis the lasting and positive legacy of a high quality National Care Service

“The National Health Service was born out of the tragedy of World War Two.

“Let us resolve that we will build out of this Covid-19 crisis the lasting and positive legacy of a high-quality National Care Service.”

She added: “The pandemic has reminded us of the vital importance of social care services, and of the extraordinary professionalism, dedication and compassion of those who work in that sector.

“However, it has also underlined the need for improvement and reform.

“I can therefore announce today the immediate establishment of a comprehensive independent review of adult social care.

“The review will seek the views of those with direct experience of adult social care, and make recommendations for immediate improvements.

“However, more fundamentally, it will examine and set out options for the creation of a National Care Service.”

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the review would be led by ex-NHS Scotland chief executive Derek Feeley, with an advisory panel including former auditor general Caroline Gardner and former Scottish Labour health minister Malcom Chisholm.

She confirmed that the “vital” review would produce its first report by January, to allow the next parliament to “take any steps necessary – legislative or otherwise – to put in place the reforms our adult care sector needs”.

Ms Freeman said: “I know that the care many people receive is already good and that people who work in care in Scotland are beginning to feel more valued and certainly more recognised for the work that they do, but not enough yet.

“I’m determined that we go further so that positive experiences are the norm, happening consistently by design and with intent.

She added: “I believe that across this chamber we have a shared view that we need both to improve outcomes for people who use these services and also ensure a good working environment for a key workforce whose criticality has been emphasised in recent months.

“I have agreed with the independent chair that the review will take a human rights-based approach with a strong emphasis placed on the needs, rights and preferences of those who use the services, their carers and families.”

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard, who has been campaigning for the creation of a National Care Service, said: “Over the past six months, no part of our society has been more tragically hit by Covid-19 than our care homes.

“Today’s announcement of a review is a welcome signal of intent. But time is running out.

“Will the First Minister take the opportunity today to confirm not only that she intends to create a National Care Service, but that she will act immediately to level up the terms and conditions of the workforce, and that, as with our National Health Service, the profit motive will be removed from the care of our oldest and most vulnerable citizens?

“Because we cannot simply be content to go back to how things were in the care sector.”