MAREE TODD: Community voice should help drive social care vision
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In my first column of 2024, I would like to wish all of my constituents a happy and healthy new year.
Looking towards the year ahead, we have bills coming before the Scottish Parliament in areas such as agriculture, education, housing and land reform. This year will also see the introduction of the National Care Service Bill which, if passed, will ensure the quality, fairness and consistency of provision of social care services meets individuals’ needs, regardless of where they live in Scotland.
Access to social care is an issue affecting rural communities across my constituency. Last year we faced challenges due to a series of care home closures, including Mo Dhachaidh in Ullapool, Castle Gardens in Invergordon, and Caladh Sona in Talmine. All these closures will have had a lasting impact on those receiving care, their families, and the wider community.
I have a vested interest in making sure our government delivers. Not only am I Scotland’s Social Care Minister, but like most people, I want to be able to grow old and frail in my own community. A National Care Service (NCS), which recognises the need for a distinct approach in rural areas will help achieve that.
We can’t just sit back and wait for the primary legislation to pass though, we need to address the immediate needs of those communities who are currently struggling with a lack of provision. We must be willing to explore new, flexible and innovative care models now.
Ullapool is a shining example of a community leading in this area. Following the closure of Mo Dhachaidh in April last year the community, led by Lochbroom Community Council, rallied to identify solutions aimed at securing the building for continued public use. These efforts played a crucial role in the recent agreement with Highland Hospice, who have now bought the building and will lease it to NHS Highland. This not only provides security for the local health centre, within the building, but paves the way for the development of a flexible social care model. The community deserves huge credit for what has been achieved here and I am confident they will continue to play a valuable role in shaping the future model.
In December, I paid a visit to the Howard Doris Centre who run a highly effective social care model in the Strathcarron area. They offer supported accommodation in partnership with Albyn Housing, social facilities, along with adult day care. They also provide assistance to folk with short-term illnesses and those recently discharged from hospital, who may not be ready to return home. This enables people to stay and receive care in their own community. It was heartening to learn of a model that is working so well.
There is a wealth of social care knowledge in communities across the entire constituency. In Caithness and Sutherland we have an excellent network of Health & Wellbeing hubs, many delivering elements of social care. Their work, along with the challenges they have experienced, could be used to help and inspire those in Wester Ross and vice versa.
Going forward, we must listen to and empower the voices of communities to ensure that the approach we take is tailored and responsive to the unique needs of each community. As the Minister for Social Care in the Scottish Government – and your local MSP - I am determined to see this realised in the National Care Service.
n Maree Todd is the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross.
