By Democrat reporter
Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton constituency, has called on the people of Dumbarton, Vale of Leven, Helensburgh and Lomond to share their thoughts on the future of Scotland’s care service by taking part in an online consultation launched by Scottish Labour.
The survey seeks to engage members of the public, especially those with direct experience of the care system, and allow them to help shape Scottish Labour’s developing plans to improve care for people at home or in care homes, and for those who care for them, as part of their national campaign: It’s Time to Care About Care.
Scottish Labour is also engaging with the workforce, trade unions and various experts as part of the campaign.
Care homes have been at the epicentre of the pandemic in Scotland, with 50% of adult care homes in West Dunbartonshire, and 78% in Argyll and Bute, having suspected cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the outbreak up until last week (14 July).
Scottish Labour has a longstanding policy commitment on developing a National Care Service to drive up care standards and put dignity and respect for those receiving care, their families and care workers, at the heart of the social care system.
Jackie Baillie MSP said: “People right across Scotland value social care, but they know the current system is broken.
“Scotland’s fragmented care system needs radical reform and it is vital that local people have their say on the future of care in Scotland.
“For too long people have been stuck in hospital because social care wasn’t available, care home residents have been let down, families haven’t been properly supported and staff have not received the pay and conditions they deserve.
“50% of care homes in West Dunbartonshire and 78% in Argyll & Bute have had suspected cases of COVID19 since the beginning of the outbreak.
“The Scottish Government was slow to provide PPE and testing and issued contradictory guidance, almost on a weekly basis. This is simply not good enough.
“This pandemic has only made the need for reform more urgent. Scottish Labour’s plans for a National Care Service are needed now more than ever.
“Throughout the summer we will be working closely with those receiving care, their families, staff and trade unions, experts and the wider public to develop a blueprint for the National Care Service.
“Together, we can turn the page and deliver the care service that local residents deserve.”
Let’s be clear about this. Care homes are big business. No if, no but, big business with many of these businesses owned by off shore companies located in places like Jersey or the Cayman Islands.
Not exactly a National Care Service and a dystopian view of how Prime Minister Johnson and his buddy Trump will have the National Health Service once we are fully out of Europe and a US / UK trade deal is in place.
It is being set up that way as we speak, and with powers being removed from the Scottish Parliament where it will not be able to legislate on the impacts of a trade deal to open up the UK to corporate health businesses, one can see how things are going.
And so, here is the question. Can you have. National Care Service, or a National Health Service delivered by businesses with ultimate ownership located in off shore tax havens. Like hospital cleaning, as the tragedy in the Vale of Leven showed, Scottish Labour think you can
And do local people agree. Well I don’t think you need a survey to tell you the answer to that!