Councillors say no to plan for a national care service
The council is concerned about the impact the proposal will have on rural and remote communities in Argyll and Bute.
Fears have been expressed over what impact proposals for a National Care Service could have for island communities in Argyll.
A consultation is taking place on plans for a centralised service, which the Scottish Government feels will improve the way social care is delivered in Scotland.
Argyll and Bute Council convened a special full council meeting on Thursday October 28 to consider the proposals. It argues the government’s plan is not the solution to social care service challenges, especially for rural communities.
Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Councillor Robin Currie, an island resident who lives on Islay, said: ‘People use social care services at very difficult, vulnerable times in their life. It’s vital therefore any changes are the right ones.
‘We welcome the focus on improving social care support for anyone who needs it and the opportunity to get involved in developing services for the future. However, we have significant concerns about the proposals and what they could mean for Argyll and Bute.
‘For example, more consideration needs to be given to their impact on rural and remote communities like those of Argyll and Bute. Delivering services in the urban, central belt of Scotland can be very different to delivering them on islands and to dispersed communities. Services based on local knowledge will better meet local need.
‘The changes proposed would cost a lot of money. There needs to be clarity on investment available for social care services.
‘These proposals have the potential to be the most significant public sector reform in Scotland for decades. Given councils’ knowledge of their area’s needs, councils must have the opportunity to play an active part in developing the way forward.
‘Any changes introduced have to be right for all areas in Scotland.’
At Thursday’s special meeting, councillors unanimously approved the council’s response, which included calls for an island impact assessment.
But Oban South and the Isles independent councillor Mary Jean Devon, who lives on Mull, was worried about unequal treatment for island communities.
Councillor Devon said: ‘I have serious concerns about these proposals and their deliverability, particularly for island communities. We are having to send carers to island communities from the mainland to provide care and this is not sustainable.
‘The Scottish Government introduced the Islands Bill in 2017 with the aim of improving life for island communities.
‘We are nearly five years on and I am struggling to see any flesh on the bones. When the Island Bill was launched, it was to secure parity, so I’m now wondering whether the national care plan will mean that.’
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: ‘We are committed to delivering a National Care Service by the end of this parliament to end the postcode lottery in the provision of care services in Scotland. The Independent Review of Adult Social Care found the current way of working has not fully delivered the improvements intended.
‘We understand there is often a need for a different approach for people living in island and rural areas and the National Care Service will help ensure that is delivered.’