Government shifts focus to advisory reforms as National Care Service plans change
Yesterday, the Scottish Government announced that the National Care Service, as originally planned, will not go ahead. Instead, the Government will introduce an Advisory Board to guide improvements to the social care system without requiring formal legislation.
When the National Care Service was first proposed in 2022, it ignited a sense of hope for a more person-centred approach to social care in Scotland. At Carr Gomm, we believed that this service would create a supportive environment for the amazing people working in social care and ensure that the aspirations of individuals—rather than financial or political interests—would be at the heart of social care services. Over the past two yea
rs, Carr Gomm, and the people we support, have made countless contributions to communicate these important messages to decision-makers, advocating for the values that we hold dear.
While we appreciate the Government’s commitment to improving social care and share their recognition that the system must evolve to deliver for people, families and communities, we feel disheartened that the full findings of the Feeley Review will not be implemented.
However, the DNA of Carr Gomm remains the same. Carr Gomm and the people we support are not broken, but the social care system requires radical improvement. Carr Gomm believes wholeheartedly that, as a society, we all have a moral imperative to improve social care now and into the future. We will continue to demonstrate that belief through our values and actions.
Carr Gomm, alongside other third sector organisations, are committed to continuing to work to with the Scottish Government and Local Authorities to create a social care system for the future, that Scotland can be proud of.
One where social care is truly person-centred and where the individuals and families we support, along with the staff who care for them, are prioritised.
Read more about the National Care Service here.
More from Carr Gomm:
Advocating for Change: Carr Gomm Meets with Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care