A Crisis in Social Care

The end of last month was dominated by the news of Keir Starmer’s incendiary language used in a speech announcing measures to curb immigration.

These measures are set to have a disastrous impact on social care as it relies heavily on the dedication of immigrants to deliver vital care to vulnerable people.

That is just the latest blanket measure from Labour impacting a social care sector already feeling the pinch from Labour’s hike to national insurance.

Local MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton said, "Sadly, it is not just these disgraceful decisions from Labour creating the crisis in social care we see in Scotland, it is also the years of mismanagement by the SNP.

"At First Minister’s Questions this week I raised the case of Duncan, who lived in Acharacle in the West Highlands.

"When he needed a care home, the nearest available was in Fort Augustus. Because the local home to him had closed.

"That’s the equivalent of placing an Edinburgh resident at a care home in Dumfries. 

"The travel time meant that his wife Nino was robbed of precious hours with her dying husband every single day. Time she can never get back.

"A report from Angus MacDonald had recently found that over the last 10 years a fifth of care homes in the Highlands had shut.

"We need to see the Scottish Government take urgent action to support the care sector.

You can watch Alex's FMQ here: www.youtube.com/watch