Minister gets message to heal the break

Today Public Health Minister Michael Matheson MSP met Age Scotland campaigners at the Scottish Parliament to receive more than 1100 postcards calling for better, more joined-up, health and social care services for older people.

Campaigners had travelled from across Scotland to meet the Minister and ask him to heal the break between health and social care.  Dennis Moore from the Sign Poster Project in Aberdeen said: "We are making the journey because we want to make sure our deep rooted concerns are heard." 

Charity Chief Executive David Manion said: "NHS Health services and Council Social Care services don't always fit together well, so too often older people find themselves in limbo in hospital when a social care package tailored to their needs could have allowed them to stay at home. 

"Late last year the Scottish Government responded to these concerns and set a course to new legislation to join up health and social care services.  But while this commitment is welcome, it's vital that we keep up the pressure to make sure that the reforms are not diluted or derailed, and that older people are fully consulted."

Michael Matheson said: "The Scottish Government is committed to progressing the integration of adult health and social care. We are determined to ensure that older people are at the centre of delivery the length and breadth of Scotland."

See video footage from the event here.