Free-care probe finds £70m hole in funding

15 Jun 06
The Scottish Executive has been told to review thoroughly its flagship policy of free personal care for the elderly after an inquiry found councils have insufficient funds to meet demand.

16 June 2006

The Scottish Executive has been told to review thoroughly its flagship policy of free personal care for the elderly after an inquiry found councils have insufficient funds to meet demand.

According to the Scottish Parliament's health committee, half of the 32 councils have been forced to operate waiting lists as demand outstrips resources. Councils claim there is a shortfall of £70m.

Committee convenor Roseanna Cunningham said the policy had been a success, having provided greater security and dignity to many elderly people and had largely ended bed-blocking in hospitals.

'However, there are some major problems with implementation which are threatening to undermine the policy,' she said.

The committee said funding was not increasing in line with inflation and called on the Executive to undertake a 'thorough review' of the resources required to adequately finance the care.

Deputy health minister Lewis Macdonald said: 'We have met all the funding bids by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities for top-up funding for free personal care in full.'

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