Health and social care services failing to adapt

A lack of leadership and planning is preventing Scotland’s health and social care services changing fast enough to cope with increasing pressures, according to a report.

Research for the Auditor General and the Accounts Commission said current ways of working were unsustainable, with challenges including an ageing population and financial pressures facing councils and health boards.

The number of people aged 85 and over in Scotland is expected to rise by two-thirds from 114,375 in 2014 to 187,219 in 2030, and double by 2034.

The report called on the Scottish Government to provide stronger leadership and a clear plan for implementing its 2020 vision, which aims to have more people cared for at home.

The report also urged ministers to identify “adequate and timely longer-term funding to support transformational change”.

Between 2010-11 and 2014-15 the health budget decreased by 0.6% in real terms to £11.85 billion while Scottish Government overall funding for councils decreased by 5.9% in real terms to £10.8bn.

Spending on social care services increased slightly by 2% to about £3bn between 2010-11 and 2013-14.

Auditor General Caroline Gardner said: “Current health and social care models are unsustainable but with the right services in place, many people could avoid unnecessary admissions to hospital or be discharged more quickly.”