Scottish Conservative MSP for Eastwood, Jackson Carlaw is backing plans for a Local Care Service in East Renfrewshire.
Mr Carlaw has argued that care services are delivered most effectively in or by communities in East Renfrewshire and shouldn’t be driven by detached SNP Government Ministers in Edinburgh.
The plans are in response to the SNP’s proposals for a centralised National Care Service and outline some of the risks associated with centralisation as well as suggestions as to how care can be improved without years of costly, top-down reform.
The Eastwood MSP says that the SNP’s plans for a National Care Service should not be used to diminish the powers of councils such as East Renfrewshire and undermine democratic accountability.
The policy paper outlines plans for a local care service including introducing a ‘local care guarantee’, strengthening existing integration joint boards and giving further powers to the Care Inspectorate to drive up standards of local care.
The paper also outlines ten key tests for the SNP to meet if they continue to press ahead with their National Care Service, including that no person in East Renfrewshire will be forced to access care away from their family and community and that there will be no fragmentation between healthcare delivered by GPs and the care offered by hospitals.
Mr Carlaw also says that an interim report of the Scottish Covid inquiry must be published as soon as possible to learn lessons in light of care homes in East Renfrewshire bearing the brunt of the devastating effects of the pandemic.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Eastwood, Jackson Carlaw said:
“As we emerge from the pandemic, we will all have a renewed sense of appreciation for those who work in our social care sector.
“Social care services in East Renfrewshire need investment and change but I am sceptical of the SNP’s plans to centralise services through a National Care Service.
“Services in Eastwood work best when they are delivered by people who are working locally.
“The policy paper produced by the Scottish Conservatives is in line with our constructive approach towards reforming the social care sector, but it also outlines critical tests the SNP must meet.
“Our care sector and care homes bore the brunt of the pandemic and we must learn the lessons of the grave errors that were made."
East Renfrewshire Council’s Scottish Conservative Group Leader Councillor Gordon Wallace welcomed the policy paper stating:
“The move to centralise our local care service is just another example of how, since SNP came to power, residents are progressively experiencing less and less control over how they run their lives."