The Scottish Government’s plans to integrate health and social care services have been described as “incompetent.”
The plans, which could result in the transfer of thousands of community care staff from local authorities to health boards, had been outlined by public health minister, Shona Robison.
However, her call for the organisations to work much more closely together and for local authorities to consider commissioning adult care services from health boards, drew scathing comments from one of Scotland’s top councillors.
Pat Watters, president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) said the proposals demonstrated a “lack of competence” at a number of levels and suggested Ms Robison was using the issue to “kick start” her election campaign for the Holyrood elections in May.
With ever more elderly people requiring care, it is widely accepted the status quo is not an option, but politicians and service managers seem unable to agree on a way forward.
Mr Watters said local government was not opposed to change, but voiced concerns about the proposals and the manner of the announcement.
“My main concern is to protect services for the elderly and ensure that even with reduced resources older people get better outcomes from the services they receive,” he said.
“If this announcement is designed to be a serious contribution to the debate … this is simply incompetent. We have been having that debate with this minister for almost four years and at no time has she raised this idea as the best way forward.
“If this is a serious attempt to create stability and certainty in a service area under real pressure due to reduced resources and increased demand, it is incompetent.
“Let’s be clear this is a minister in a minority government who would have no chance of getting legislation like this through the current parliament.”IntegrationMs Robison last night insisted the proposals were designed to improve services through integration. “We have set forward our proposals, which we have every right to do,” she said.
“Of course in the process of developing this proposal we shall consult with all stakeholders including councils, the unions and others.”
An Angus Council spokesperson said it was too early to give a full reaction to the plan until the implications for local provision became clear.
“Angus Council will await the detail of these proposals,” said the spokesperson. “We currently work with NHS colleagues to deliver good services, and are always looking locally at the best ways to improve our services.
“Any government proposals regarding service delivery would of course be the subject of discussion with staff and service users.”
Perth and Kinross Council housing and health convener Councillor Peter Barrett said, “The announcement appears to have come completely out of left field.
“There appears to have been no consultation by the minister with CoSLA and the ministerial steering group set up to progress older people’s care has been bypassed.
“Only last Friday I shared a platform with John Swinney where we agreed that wholesale structural change was a mistake that would divert energy and resource away from dealing with the real issue of providing proper care and into fruitless bureaucracy and management reorganisation.
“I am concerned the proposal removes local democratic accountability and oversight of care from our communities and transfers it to unelected health boards and remote Scottish Government ministers.
“The government should drive the pace and direction of change to break down barriers between hospitals and social care.
“Trying to achieve this short-cut to greater integration of services and budgets is a serious misjudgement.
“The minister should devote her energies to reducing hospital admissions, promoting and supporting independent living in a way that reflects local priorities and circumstances-a one size fits all approach will not work.”