Cole-Hamilton: Thousands waiting for care at home need support now

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has called on the Scottish Government to deliver urgent support for social care services and abandon plans for a takeover of the sector, after new figures show that nearly 10,000 people are waiting to either be assessed for care at home or to have a care package arranged.  

Figures from Public Health Scotland show that as of 7th August 2023: 

• 6,161 people are estimated to be waiting for a social care assessment. 
• 3,799 people have been assessed and are waiting for a care at home package.
• 36,500 hours of care at home are yet to be provided to assessed individuals. 

Mr Cole Hamilton said:   

“The crisis in social care isn’t going away. Staff and users need support now; they cannot afford to wait years for the government’s billion-pound bureaucratic takeover of the sector, which will completely fail to tackle key problems.

“As Parliament returns next week, I want this SNP/Green Government to do the right thing and abandon plans for a takeover of social care.  

“Scottish Liberal Democrats have stood up against this ministerial power grab from day one. If there is a billion pounds available, we want that money to be spent on rewarding staff with better pay and conditions, as well as introducing guaranteed standards and entitlements for those who depend on social care.”