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Minister backs costly care policy Minister backs costly care policy
(20 minutes later)
Scotland's health secretary remains committed to free personal care for the elderly, despite a report which said it faced an uncertain financial future.Scotland's health secretary remains committed to free personal care for the elderly, despite a report which said it faced an uncertain financial future.
Nicola Sturgeon said it was a "good policy", but she added that future costs would determine decision making.Nicola Sturgeon said it was a "good policy", but she added that future costs would determine decision making.
Spending watchdog Audit Scotland revealed on Friday that there was a funding shortfall of up to £63m.Spending watchdog Audit Scotland revealed on Friday that there was a funding shortfall of up to £63m.
It also said the policy, introduced in 2002, differed greatly from council to council.It also said the policy, introduced in 2002, differed greatly from council to council.
Local authorities said the report showed they were right to press for reform of the free personal care legislation.Local authorities said the report showed they were right to press for reform of the free personal care legislation.
Percentage receiving free personal care in 2005/06Percentage receiving free personal care in 2005/06
Cosla spokesman Ronnie McColl said: "We have long argued that the legislation is unclear in terms of councils' entitlement to charge residents for assisting with the preparation of food."Cosla spokesman Ronnie McColl said: "We have long argued that the legislation is unclear in terms of councils' entitlement to charge residents for assisting with the preparation of food."
Audit Scotland reported that the free personal and nursing care scheme needed to be better planned, managed and funded.Audit Scotland reported that the free personal and nursing care scheme needed to be better planned, managed and funded.
Ms Sturgeon said talks would be held with local authorities with an aim to improve the legislation.Ms Sturgeon said talks would be held with local authorities with an aim to improve the legislation.
READ IN FULL A review of free personal and nursing care [1.04MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereREAD IN FULL A review of free personal and nursing care [1.04MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
She added: "We have to find out what the cost for the future is and take decisions based on that.She added: "We have to find out what the cost for the future is and take decisions based on that.
"But I am saying to you very clearly the new government is committed to this policy. It is a good policy and we will take the action necessary to make sure that it lasts for the long-term.""But I am saying to you very clearly the new government is committed to this policy. It is a good policy and we will take the action necessary to make sure that it lasts for the long-term."
About 72,000 older people receive personal care services free of charge.About 72,000 older people receive personal care services free of charge.
Audit Scotland said the annual funding gap of up to £63m was expected to worsen.Audit Scotland said the annual funding gap of up to £63m was expected to worsen.
It said initial cost estimates were difficult to make because of limited information, but monitoring had also been limited and long-term cost estimates had not been made by the government since 2001.It said initial cost estimates were difficult to make because of limited information, but monitoring had also been limited and long-term cost estimates had not been made by the government since 2001.
It is well documented that Scotland has a growing older population and demand for free personal care will grow Robert BlackAuditor General It is well documented that Scotland has a growing older population and demand for free personal care will grow href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_7220000/newsid_7221500?redirect=7221553.stm&news=1&bbram=1&bbwm=1&nbwm=1&nbram=1" onClick="javascript:newsi.utils.av.launch({el:this});return false;">Robert Black
It added that the government and councils should work "as a matter of urgency" to clarify ambiguities with the policy.It added that the government and councils should work "as a matter of urgency" to clarify ambiguities with the policy.
Auditor General Robert Black said the policy was an important one for older people in Scotland.Auditor General Robert Black said the policy was an important one for older people in Scotland.
He added: "It is well documented that Scotland has a growing older population and demand for free personal care will grow.He added: "It is well documented that Scotland has a growing older population and demand for free personal care will grow.
"There needs to be better planning and better funding of this policy.""There needs to be better planning and better funding of this policy."
The payments, increased in line with inflation, are about to go up to £149 a week for personal care, with an additional £67 for those in a care home which provides nursing care.The payments, increased in line with inflation, are about to go up to £149 a week for personal care, with an additional £67 for those in a care home which provides nursing care.
The total cost of the policy in the first four years was £1.8bn, although councils would have spent £1.2bn even if the policy had not been introduced, as some free services were previously provided.The total cost of the policy in the first four years was £1.8bn, although councils would have spent £1.2bn even if the policy had not been introduced, as some free services were previously provided.
This £600m gap had led to a growing shortfall in government funding, and by 2005 this annual gap was either £46m or £63m, depending on the assumptions used.This £600m gap had led to a growing shortfall in government funding, and by 2005 this annual gap was either £46m or £63m, depending on the assumptions used.
Percentage receiving free personal care in 2005/06 Percentage receiving free personal care in 2005/06
FREE PERSONAL CARE - KEY STATISTICS SCOTTISH LOCAL AUTHORITIES TOTAL 65+ RESIDENTS FREE CARE RECIPIENTS 2005/06 (APPROX) Aberdeen City 32,398 10% Aberdeenshire 35,806 8.5% Angus 20,518 7% Argyll and Bute 17,950 6.5% Clackmannanshire 7,381 9.5% Dum & Galloway 30,296 7% Dundee City 25,660 8% East Ayrshire 19,809 9% East Dun 18,302 7% East Lothian 16,209 9% East Ren 14,989 7% Edinburgh City 68,647 7.5% Eilean Siar 5,350 12% Falkirk 23,394 8% Fife 59,228 9% Glasgow City 85,749 12.5% Highland 37,480 8.5% Inverclyde 14,036 11.5% Midlothian 12,544 8% Moray 15,144 8% N Ayrshire 23,403 8% N Lanarkshire 46,784 9% Orkney Islands 3,418 8.5% Perth & Kinross 26,766 8% Renfrewshire 27,145 7.5% Scottish Borders 21,179 8.5% Shetland Islands 3,326 8% S Ayrshire 22,365 9% S Lanarkshire 48,630 7% Stirling 14,148 7% W Dunbartonshire 14,642 10.5% West Lothian 20,279 10% Source: Audit ScotlandFREE PERSONAL CARE - KEY STATISTICS SCOTTISH LOCAL AUTHORITIES TOTAL 65+ RESIDENTS FREE CARE RECIPIENTS 2005/06 (APPROX) Aberdeen City 32,398 10% Aberdeenshire 35,806 8.5% Angus 20,518 7% Argyll and Bute 17,950 6.5% Clackmannanshire 7,381 9.5% Dum & Galloway 30,296 7% Dundee City 25,660 8% East Ayrshire 19,809 9% East Dun 18,302 7% East Lothian 16,209 9% East Ren 14,989 7% Edinburgh City 68,647 7.5% Eilean Siar 5,350 12% Falkirk 23,394 8% Fife 59,228 9% Glasgow City 85,749 12.5% Highland 37,480 8.5% Inverclyde 14,036 11.5% Midlothian 12,544 8% Moray 15,144 8% N Ayrshire 23,403 8% N Lanarkshire 46,784 9% Orkney Islands 3,418 8.5% Perth & Kinross 26,766 8% Renfrewshire 27,145 7.5% Scottish Borders 21,179 8.5% Shetland Islands 3,326 8% S Ayrshire 22,365 9% S Lanarkshire 48,630 7% Stirling 14,148 7% W Dunbartonshire 14,642 10.5% West Lothian 20,279 10% Source: Audit Scotland