National Care Service branded 'shambles' in Inverclyde debate

Inverclyde MP Martin McCluskey, sitting for the last time at the authority's social work and social care panel before resigning as a councillor, also told the meeting that too much cash has been wasted on the project already.

The former health board member warned Inverclyde could be in danger of losing out if health and social care services are brought under regional or national control.

He was joined by other members in raising major concerns about the National Care Service and the outstanding questions that still remain several years down the line.

Martin McCluskey branded the National Care Service plans an absolute shambles. (Image: George Munro)

The establishment of a National Care Service was a key SNP commitment at the last Scottish Parliament election, and a National Care Service (Scotland) Bill was laid down by the Scottish Government in June 2022.

Mr McCluskey said: "It has been an absolute shambles. I am really struggling to think about all the money that has been wasted trying to establish the National Care Service.

"Here we are, several years later, with a list of major questions outstanding.

"When you think about how much need there is for funding for services, that could have been met but have gone on trying to establish the National Care Service unsuccessfully.

 "The vision of the National Care Service was 'how can we raise our national standards?'. Then it seemed to turn into direct national control of local services, and now it is some kind of halfway point that won't meet anyone's expectations."

The new Labour MP, who has resigned as a councillor since the meeting, went on to raise concerns about the future of Inverclyde's health and social care services in future set ups.

He added: "I was concerned, with my previous hat on the health board, that when national or regional control comes in, we often lose a lot of the good, distinctive stuff that makes our services excel.

"As a small local authority, we need to put that back to government that our distinctiveness and uniqueness can't be lost as part of this process."

SNP councillor Elizabeth Robertson said the policy enjoyed cross-party support. (Image: Inverclyde Council)

SNP councillor Elizabeth Robertson said the policy had cross party support.

She added: "I am very keen we make sure that our voices are heard through the process of development."

Labour councillor Colin Jackson highlighted the concerns of trade unions in particular Unison.

He added: "Money has been wasted and I don't know if this National Care Service is ever going to see the light of day."

Kate Rocks, the authority's health and social care chief officer, said it has been challenging to understand the intentions behind the proposed legislation and where it wants to go.

She added: "We have to look at what we have here in Inverclyde and what works really well  for us.

"It is the value the elected members and community put on joined up working.

"The construct of what works well in the HSCP was taken as a given as we moved forward."