Nanny state on steroids

Proposals for a National Care Service in Scotland are the “nanny state on steroids,” says Renaissance Care founder Robert Kilgour.

The government has described the plans, which are scheduled to be introduced by the end of the current Parliament, as one of the most ambitious reforms of public services since the creation of the National Health Service.

The plans, which are designed to deliver consistency and quality of care and support nationally and to make the Scottish government directly accountable for services, are estimated to cost £1.25 billion and include a pledge to increase adult social care funding by at least 25%, or £840 million.

Robert Kilgour, founder and executive chairman of Renaissance Care, told Caring Times: “I am in favour of it if it means more funds for social care and if it means an improved service at the front line. I have yet to be convinced on either.”

Kilgour described the proposals, which include visiting rights for residents, as “woolly”, and “a blatant power grab by the Scottish government from local authorities”.

“Local authorities in Scotland work very well with the independent sector on delivering 85% of care home beds at the front line,” Kilgour said. “They are just desperately short of funding. This is not the time for the biggest reorganisation in 70 years.”

The care leader said that the £1.25 billion estimate for the reforms was “way out” citing analysis by the national auditor.

Kilgour added: “I am hopeful and optimistic that they will engage more with stakeholders on this because it’s common sense. It’s not going to be a success if they just impose it and more central control because the people who are going to be responsible for making it a success are going to feel ignored and not included.”

The Scottish government’s minister for social care Kevin Stewart said: “We are committed to establishing the National Care Service by the end of the current Parliament and ending the postcode

“I am hopeful and optimistic that they will engage more with stakeholders on this because it’s common sense.” lottery in care provision.

“This is the biggest public service reform since the introduction of the NHS 75 year ago. Given the scale of this undertaking we will, as would be expected, take the time necessary to make sure we get it right.

“The voices of people who are service users are key in these changes, and as we have been clear from the outset, we will be working closely with them as the plans develop.

“But we are also working to deliver improvements here and now so that social care continues to service and support the people of Scotland long into the future.”