To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to support the development of care providers to ensure that a range of sustainable provision is available in the future.
In response to concerns about the sustainability and fairness of current and future care for older people in the face of financial and demographic pressures, a major work programme “ Reshaping Care for Older People “ is being taken forward in partnership with NHS Scotland and COSLA through the Ministerial Strategic Group on Health and Community Care.
The programme aspires to develop practical ideas for change that are sufficiently radical to meet the changing needs of Scotland''s population by enabling people to stay at home or in a homely setting, with maximum independence, for as long as possible. A key aim is to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to enable service providers to respond effectively to future demand for services.
So far the programme has focussed on discussion with colleagues with a professional and clinical interest in delivering services for older people. As part of a wider engagement process and to further analyse and develop emerging proposals, the programme will from March 2010 until the summer, seek views from the public and from a wider range of stakeholders including patients, service users and private and voluntary sector service providers.
Full account will be taken of developments in relation to provision of care and benefits being pursued by the UK Government, on which separate consultations are being undertaken.