Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson, is backing plans by his party for a Local Care Service.
Mr Simpson says that care services are delivered most effectively in or by communities in Lanarkshire and shouldn’t be driven by SNP 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.
Previous experience with Police Scotland in suggests a similar centralised care service won’t work for these communities.
Mr Simpson says that the SNP’s plans for a national care service should not take powers away from councils such as North and South Lanarkshire 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 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 delivered by hospitals.
Mr Simpson also says that an interim report of the Scottish Covid inquiry must be published as soon as possible in order to learn lessons in light of care homes in Lanarkshire bearing the brunt of the devastating effects of the pandemic.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP, Graham Simpson said: “As we emerge from the pandemic, everyone in Lanarkshire will have a renewed sense of appreciation for those who work in our social care sector.
“Social care services in across the region need investment and change but I am sceptical of the SNP’s plans to centralise services through a National Care Service.
“Services in Lanarkshire are delivered best when they are delivered in or by people living and working locally.
“The SNP’s one-size-fits-all approach won’t work as we have seen before with their centralisation of Police Scotland - and it will hit rural communities even harder.
“We cannot let the SNP take yet more power away from Lanarkshire’s councils and undermine democratic accountability.
“The policy paper led by my colleague Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP is in line with our constructive approach towards reforming the social care sector, but 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.
“I look forward to engaging with local stakeholders in the constituency to support frontline staff and services going forward.”
