Disturbing data which points to care crisis

Comment Donald Macaskill

The data released by Scottish Labour is deeply disturbing. Behind every statistic there is a story. Every day spent unnecessarily in hospital is a lost opportunity for vulnerable citizens to be spending time at home with family and friends. Often these are individuals in palliative care and end of life. Sadly, this come as little surprise to Scottish Care.

There is a real crisis in homecare. Assessments are being delayed, care packages are not being offered, in part because many care providers in both the charitable and private sectors simply cannot deliver quality care on the rates they are being offered. I recently visited someone in hospital and five out of the six patients in the ward were ready to go home but they could not. That is a shameful waste.

The home care sector in Scotland is genuinely close to collapse and I am calling on politicians of all parties to work with providers to address these challenges.we can no longer tinker around the edges of social care – the challenge needs to be grasped with both hands.”