Scottish Government Outlines Future of National Care Service Bill

Following an extension to the National Care Service Stage 2 Bill Process in November, the Scottish Government has announced it will drop part one of the Bill, which had intended to reform structures for social care support in Scotland and create more national oversight.  

Instead, it will set up a non-statutory advisory board, where people with lived experience and representatives from across health and social care organisations and bodies will provide insights into social care improvement, but will have no legal powers.  

Other reforms set out in the National Care Service Bill will be taken forward in separate legislation, including further support for unpaid carers, and consolidating the right for care home residents to have visitors.  

Anne’s Law, if introduced, will mean residents in care homes will have the right to be visited by family and friends, alongside the right for unpaid carers to access breaks.  

In her statement to Parliament on 23 January, the Minister for Health, Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, Maree Todd, said the Scottish Government remains committed to reforming social care in Scotland. 

You can read more about the proposed changes on the Scottish Government’s website.