National Care Service (Scotland) Bill 2022 - What it is and what it isn't

Briefing Note

Credits — Common Weal Care Reform Group

Overview

The Common Weal Care Reform Working Group examines the Scottish Government’s Nation Care Service Bill and critiques its provisions.

The purpose of this paper is to take a critical look at the National Care Service Bill, as introduced to the Scottish Parliament and explain why as currently drafted it will not deliver the vision of a comprehensive National Care Service (NCS) which we set out in Caring for All and to highlight where amendment would improve it. We also explain why the measures it proposes may make care services worse, not better. Our intention is to assist all those who want a National Care Service worthy of the name to come together and campaign for the changes to the Bill that might enable this to happen, so as well as critiquing the content of the bill we set out the main areas it needs to cover and the issues it needs to tackle.

To say that Common Weal are disappointed with the Bill as proposed would be an understatement. In fact, we consider it quite dangerous: as we have outlined, democracy and accountability have been sacrificed on the basis of building on what is already there in the failed Health and Social Care Partnerships. The Bill removes the role of local authorities, and we would be concerned about their future as a bedrock of democracy – despite all their flaws. Our own alternative is outlined in Caring for All, and we will engage in the consultation process and continue to argue the case for the properly funded and robust National Care Service that Scotland deserves.

Common Weal gratefully acknowledges the advice and assistance we have received from experts, practitioners and trade union representatives in the Scottish care and social work sectors during the writing of this critique.