PLANS for a national care service in Scotland have failed to take account of the challenges facing Argyll and Bute, the council has claimed.

The Scottish Government has proposed the service, which aims to improve the way social care is delivered across the country, after the recommendations of an independent review.

The council has been invited to deliver its opinions, but a draft response has claimed that not enough consultation has taken place, and at the wrong time.

It has also expressed the view that a national care service is not the only solution to addressing the challenges faced by social care services in Scotland.

The authority’s draft response was discussed by the full council at a special virtual meeting last week.

Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Councillor Robin Currie, said: “People use social care services at very difficult, vulnerable times in their life. It’s vital therefore that any changes made are the right ones.

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"We welcome the focus on improving social care support for anyone who needs it, and the opportunity to get involved in developing services for the future. However, we have significant concerns about the proposals and what they could mean for Argyll and Bute.

"For example, more consideration needs to be given to their impact on rural and remote communities like those of Argyll and Bute – delivering services in the urban, central belt of Scotland can be very different to delivering them on islands and to dispersed communities. Services based on local knowledge will better meet local need.

"The changes proposed would cost a lot of money – there needs to be clarity on investment available for social care services.

"These proposals have the potential to be the most significant public sector reform in Scotland for decades – given councils’ knowledge of their area’s needs, councils must have the opportunity to play an active part in developing the way forward.

"Any changes introduced have to be right for all areas in Scotland.”

Social care minister Kevin Stewart said: “We are committed to delivering a national care service by the end of this parliament in order to end the postcode lottery in the provision of care services in Scotland.

“The independent review of adult social care found the current ways of working have not fully delivered the improvements intended by integration of health and social care.

“We understand there is often a need for a different approach for people living in island and rural areas and the national care service will help ensure that is delivered.

“We are still very early in the consultation process and we look forward to considering all feedback when the consultation closes later this year.”

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