MSP welcomes National Care Service Bill
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
LEGISLATION to establish a National Care Service for Scotland (NCS) has been hailed by a north-east MSP.
The National Care Service Bill will make Scottish Ministers accountable for adult social care in Scotland, a change strongly supported by those responding to the recent consultation on the plans.
It also aims to ensure the best possible outcomes for people accessing care and support and end the postcode lottery of care.
The Bill has been welcomed by SNP MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast Karen Adam, who has previously been vocal about her lived experience of being a carer for her family members with disabilities.
She said: “The Scottish National Care Service (NCS) could revolutionise the standard of care we provide for those in need of additional support.
"Since coming into government, the SNP have already made huge improvements to health and social care with the likes of implementing the real living wage and introducing the new Health and Social Care Standards.
“The launch of the NCS Bill also includes recognising the contribution of unpaid carers by introducing rights to breaks. As an unpaid carer myself, I know how challenging it is on a day to day basis while also juggling other aspects of our own life.
“I am really looking forward to seeing the potential of this Bill being implemented across Scotland. This policy and others like it really showcase the positives of what Scottish independence will bring. The more powers Scotland has over our own decision making, the better services and outcomes we get to deliver for the people living here.”
The legislation seeks to provide the foundation for the NCS, and enables the fine detail of the new service to be co-designed with people who have direct experience of social care services. Plans have also been published to explain how that collaboration will work.
The aims are to: Support people in their own homes or among family, friends and community wherever possible, with seamless transitions between services; Create a charter of rights and responsibilities for social care, with a robust complaints and redress process; Introduce rights to breaks for unpaid carers; Introduce visiting rights for residents living in adult care homes, giving legal force to Anne’s Law; Ensure fair employment practices and national pay bargaining for the social care workforce; Focus on prevention and early intervention before people’s needs escalate; Create a new National Social Work Agency to promote training and development, provide national leadership and set and monitor standards in social work.
