Age Scotland response to National Care Home Contract stalemate

Age Scotland's Head of Policy and Communications, Adam Stachura, said:

“The National Care Home Contract stalemate is the latest in a long line of complex and sensitive challenges facing the social care sector, with long waiting lists for assessments and packages, a crisis in staffing, care home closures, and fewer available rooms already placing it under increasing pressure.

“It poses a significant risk to the delivery of good social care now and in the future, and must be resolved as a matter of urgency. This demonstrates yet again the need for reform in social care, both in terms of sustainable funding and how it is delivered most effectively, to ensure it is both equitable and resilient.

"Improving pay for care workers is crucial, so the Scottish Government should set out clearly when they expect a £12 per hour wage to be instated. Otherwise the longer it is drawn out the less value it holds.

“It is vital that we do not lose sight of the heart of the issue – the people who need social care and a workforce who need better recognition of the valuable work they do.

"Continuing on the same path will result in even fewer people getting the care they desperately need.”