You may have seen that the Scottish Government are planning to create a National Care Service which will change the way that social care services are organised and delivered. It could be one of the biggest changes in health and social care since the National Health Service (NHS) was established over 70 years ago. A National Care Service would mean the Scottish Government would become responsible for the delivery of social care, as opposed to currently where each local authority delivers social care differently. The purpose of such a big change is to provide people who use social care services a better experience and improve consistency across the country.
It could be up to five years before the National Care Service is established, but the Scottish Government are consulting now on how this should be done and what people living in Scotland think the National Care Service should look like. They want to hear from people who have experience of the current social care system and those who might need social care support now or in the future. It is therefore critical that people living with dementia, and the family and friends who are carers of people with dementia have their say. Members of the public can, of course, submit an individual response to this consultation and we encourage anyone who wishes to do so. It is available on the Scottish Government website at:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-care-service-scotland-consultation/
Alzheimer Scotland are also going to submit an organisational response. This response will focus on the challenges experienced by people with dementia and how social care should work now, and in the future, to improve the experience of people living with dementia and their loved ones. Alzheimer Scotland are committed to providing opportunities for people with dementia and their carers to contribute to this in any way they can. Over the consultation period, we will be providing lots of opportunities for you to participate. One way in which we will do this is by hosting virtual engagement events in which you can share your experiences, insights and recommendations which will inform our response.
These events will take place on Microsoft Teams on the following dates:
- Monday 11th October, 6pm - 7pm
- Wednesday 13th October, 2pm - 3pm
Thursday 14th October, 6pm - 7pmCancelled- Tuesday 19 October 6pm-7.30pm
- Friday 22 October 11am-12.30pm
If you wish to attend, please let us know which session you would like to take part in by emailing [email protected]. If you are unable to attend but still wish to provide feedback to this consultation, you can also email us on the same address.