In our response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on creating a National Care Service, we have urged for meaningful engagement with the third and voluntary sector in the design, delivery and governance of the proposals. Social care goes far beyond delivering medicine and care, it should enable the care user to participate in society and have a freedom to live. The third and voluntary sector already plays a central role in the delivery of social care and has a unique perspective to contribute to this conversation, including expertise on individual areas of the proposals. As an intermediary organisation, we have provided a more general response on the principles set out in the consultation.
To inform our response we held two online engagement events, which also gave members and stakeholders the opportunity to question government officials on the consultation. There was a keen willingness among members to engage with the process, however we heard some people had struggled to contribute to the consultation due to its size and the timescale set out. Organisations in the third and voluntary sector are working at capacity and still contending with challenges brought by the pandemic. We believe it is vital for any voices missed in this initial stage to be heard during the next steps.
The process as well as the goal must be to build a People’s National Care Service. We look forward to further conversations on the proposals and the next stage of the legislative process.
Read our full response here: National Care Service Consultation Response.
We have also produced a brief overview of the response.
Read responses from our membership here:
Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland
For further information please contact Kimberley Somerside, Policy Engagement Officer: Kimberley.somerside@vhscotland.org.uk
