New data has revealed a significant increase in the processing of Power of Attorney submissions in Scotland.
Figures released in response to parliamentary questions submitted by Jackson Carlaw MSP highlighted that in 2018/19, the average time to process an electronic power of attorney submission was 30 working days but in 2021/22, the last where full-year information is available, this had risen to 123 business days.
The information shows that the average response time for postal submissions increased from 39 business days in 2018/19 to 135 in 2021/22.
The large increase in response times occurred despite an overall reduction in the number of Power of Attorney requests from 79,000 to 73,000 in the four-year period.
Postal requests dropped by almost 9,000 although there was a slight increase in the number submitted electronically.
The figures for 2020/21 are the worst on record, during the four-year period, with the average response times standing at 150 and 154 business days for online and postal submissions respectively.
The large rise in average response times has been attributed to the impact of Covid restrictions and an outdated case management system.
The Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) is responsible for processing Power of Attorney submissions and the target response time is 30 working days.
Mr Carlaw’s questions also asked for data to be provided for 2022/23 but this was not forthcoming on the basis that full-year information is not yet available.
However, updates on the processing of POA’s on the Office of Public Guardian (Scotland) website indicate that the current waiting times for the processing of submissions is currently between six and nine months, representing a further significant increase.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Eastwood, Jackson Carlaw said:
"Power of Attorney is crucial for allowing people to look after the affairs of vulnerable family members and ensuring they can receive essential healthcare and social work support.
"It is vital that people living in Eastwood and across Scotland can have their Power of Attorney submissions completed within a reasonable time period and to safeguard the welfare of loved ones.
“The replies to my parliamentary questions are a major concern and there clearly needs to be significant progress back towards pre-Covid response times as soon as possible.”