Report raises more questions than answers

Radical reform to ensure meaningful collaboration in the delivery of public services is required if Scotland is to cope with its ageing population, according to a report published today by the Scottish Parliament's Finance Committee.

Tweet

The report reveals that the deep-rooted cultural and structural transformation that is required is sadly lacking and that so far, there is little meaningful evidence of shifts in resources to support preventative spending, very few examples of good joint planning and a sluggish approach to developing strategic commissioning.

Age Scotland spokesman Callum Chomczuk said: "We welcome this report, which lays out the preparedness of the public sector to respond to the demands of an ageing population. Unfortunately, it at best paints a mixed picture.

"Although we approve of a number of policy initiatives from the Scottish Government, including the Health and Social Care Change Fund, we have significant concerns about the projected funding gap between demand for health and care services and the resources available, which will rise to almost £3 billion by 2016/17.

"We are also worried that the public sector does not, generally, have sufficient information on cost, activity and quality of services to inform commissioning decisions relating to older people's services.

"We acknowledge that the Committee's remit did not specifically include transport, but it plays such a role in the provision of health and social care and housing that we are surprised by the fact that it wasn't even discussed.

"We know the current bus pass system is not fit for purpose and is letting down many thousands of older people right across Scotland. It needs an overhaul before it will effectively address the challenges of demographic change and our ageing society.

"And in transport, as in all other relevant policy areas, we are convinced that only vastly improved partnership working will bring about the desired effect."

The report on demographic change will be debated in Parliament at the beginning of March.