PLANS to transform social care across Scotland will progress after the Care Reform Bill was unanimously approved in Holyrood.
The Care Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed with the support of 116 MSPs on Tuesday and aims to bring forward several enhancements to social care.
The Bill originally proposed the creation of a National Care Service, but that was scrapped after serious opposition from political parties, local authorities, and trade unions, despite around £30 million being spent on its development.
However, Social Care Minister Maree Todd said the Scottish Government remained committed to the creation of a National Care Service.
The remaining provisions will implement changes to the existing care system, the biggest of which has been dubbed “Anne’s Law”.
The change will allow family and friends to be named as “essential care supporters” and require care homes to facilitate visits from them in all but the most extreme circumstances.
The proposals grew from a Scottish Parliament petition by Natasha Hamilton, who was unable to visit her mother Anne Duke in her care home during the pandemic, ultimately missing her death.
Speaking in Holyrood on Tuesday, Todd praised the work of campaigners for Anne’s Law, some of whom were watching proceedings from the public gallery.
“I have been profoundly impacted by the conversations that I have had with them,” she said.
“The emotional harm and trauma that they and their loved ones and many others suffered from being unable to see one another for such long, isolating periods during the pandemic must be acknowledged to make sure that this never happens again.”
She added: "Reform is not easy to deliver and it is being made more challenging by recent UK Government changes to Employer National Insurance Contributions and changes to migration. These will undoubtedly impact on care delivery.
“However, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to deliver the sustainable change to social care that people urgently need.
“This is a significant step that will strengthen the rights of people living in care homes, support unpaid carers and social workers and improve experiences for the many people who access social care across Scotland.”
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “The way we care for our most vulnerable is more important than party politics.
“That is why Scottish Labour committed to help the Scottish Government deliver such a service, but as I warned at the time, the devil would be in the detail.”
