Caring approach

THE care homes crisis exposed the sector to scrutiny for tragic reasons at the height of the pandemic.

For many, the fresh look revealed some glaring problems and an opportunity to improve the system for residents and staff.

Calls to overhaul the fragmented adult care system into a sort of National Care Service are not new.

But there has never been so much cross-party support or wider public interest.

Nicola Sturgeon’s Programme for Government moves the idea along again.

It is not clear what form the service might take but a review will report back in just four months with recommendations for improvement.

The panel has experts on board but it needs more input from people who work in care and use their services.

It’s no understatement to say this review has its work cut out from day one.

Caring for the most vulnerable in society should be among the highest priorities for any nation.

Get this right and Scotland will be able to live up to that ideal.

A REVIEW of adult social care is being ordered to pave the way for a new National Care Service.

Nicola Sturgeon announced the plan as part of Scotland’s journey out of the coronavirus pandemic.

It follows a campaign, backed by the Record, to improve the country’s care service which has been put under huge strain in the health crisis.

In Holyrood yesterday, Sturgeon said the pandemic reminded her of the vital importance of care services and the professionalism of staff.

But it also underlined “the need for improvement and reform”, she claimed.

Sturgeon announced an immediate review with a report expected in January.

She said: “This is a moment to be bold and to build a service fit for the future.

“The National Health Service was born out of the tragedy of World War II. Let us resolve that we will build out of this Covid crisis the lasting and positive legacy of a high quality National Care Service.

“The last few months have reminded us once again that quality public services and a strong economy must go together.”