The priority of a national care service must be on funding workers properly as the industry struggles to compete with supermarket and bar wages, according to a councillor.
Labour member John Mooney questioned “what is this all about” in response to a consultation document comprising 96 questions on the proposed overhaul of the care system.
He says more emphasis needs to be put on workers and those benefitting from joined-up health and care rather than a costly restructure.
Speaking at a meeting of West Dunbartonshire health and social care partnership (HSCP) yesterday (Monday), Councillor Mooney said: “My first feedback is to ask the very simple question ‘what is this all about?’.
“I am not against the idea of a national care service but I am concerned that it seems to be about structure.
“I am not interested in structure. I am interested in function.”
He cited examples where would-be care staff were being pulled into different professions as they were receiving better cash elsewhere.
The councillor added: “I think something that we really need to crack here right from the off is how are we actually going to pay our carers?
“We still have people who we are paying less than £10 an hour to do this very important work.”
Referring to an in-depth consultation report, the member added: “I don’t see any figures in there, or any inspiration of what we should do about the fact that we are not able to recruit people adequately just now.
“People would rather go and get more money working in a supermarket, a bar or restaurant.
“It’s really scandalous. I think it’s a very important issue which I don’t see being addressed.”
There was agreement across the HSCP management board that West Dunbartonshire was already leading by example through a number of excellent ways in which health and social care was working together.
The HSCP’s Head of Service, Strategy and Transformation Margaret-Jane Cardno confirmed she would add detail to the response being submitted from the partnership including “what we have executed and excelled at in terms of integration in West Dunbartonshire”.
She also confirmed she would detail some concerns from Councillor Mooney on how the actual service would be funded which would be added to other concerns raised within the HSCP response.
A special council meeting is being convened next week when the full council’s response will be discussed.
Argyll and Bute Council has already rejected the proposal for a national care service after a meeting last week.
Members of the authority, which covers Helensburgh and Lomond, have submitted their feedback to the consultation saying they don’t believe the plan is the solution to social care service challenges – particularly for rural communities.
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. 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.”
It is anticipated a national care service could be up and running by the end of the parliamentary term in 2026, pending feedback from the consultation.
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