Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-07971 on 22 March 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx”

There is a range of support available to carers in Scotland funded by the Scottish Government and local authorities.

Although the National Concessionary Travel Scheme does not contain specific eligibility criteria for carers, eligible disabled people can apply for a companion concessionary travel card which allows the card holder and a companion (who may be a carer) to travel together free of charge for the same bus journey.

In addition, a substantial number of carers qualify for free bus travel under the National Concessionary Travel Scheme because they are aged 60 or over. Younger carers may also benefit from the National Concessionary Travel Scheme for Young People, which provides discounts on bus and rail travel for all young people living in Scotland aged 16 to 18 and full time volunteers up to age 25.

The Scottish Government is delighted that Jane Grant, who chaired the review group which produced ‘The Best Start: A Five-Year Forward Plan’ has agreed to lead implementation of the report’s recommendations. In the coming weeks Jane will appoint an implementation group and will develop a plan to drive forward delivery of the recommendations in partnership with a range of stakeholders, including NHS Boards. It will be important to take the time to understand the implications for midwives and others of shifting to the new model outlined in the report, and identifying early adopter Boards will be critical to this. In my statement to parliament, I outlined the need to undertake early modelling work with NHS Boards so we can get a better understanding of the workforce changes required to take forward the package of recommendations.

The Scottish Social Services Council, as the Non Departmental Public Body responsible for regulation of the social services workforce, plays a key role in delivering long-standing policy to improve social services delivery and protect service users and the public. Registration and regulation of the social services workforce by the SSSC aims to upskill and professionalize the workforce by requiring workers to attain specific qualifications; by publishing and requiring compliance with Codes of Practice for workers and employers and by investigating fitness to practice concerns and taking action if required.

When the SSSC was first established the intention was that over time the costs of the registration function would be met through the fees charged to registrants. The SSSC’s registration fees have, however, not been increased since they were set in 2003. The fees are being increased now to reflect increases in costs and to deliver the original policy intention. The Scottish Government has kept fees at the same level since 2003 by helping fund the costs of registration and will continue to provide Grant in Aid to the SSSC to support its workforce regulatory, development and data functions.

The fee levels vary for different groups of workers and likewise the level of the increases vary. The changes being introduced seek to minimise the impact on the lowest paid parts of the workforce, with, for example, new fees for social work students set at £15 per annum while support workers will pay £25 per annum. The majority of the workforce will pay annual fees of £35 or less (see following table).

The new registration fees will also be similar to those of other professional regulators, for example a professional social worker in Scotland will pay £80 per year compared to £90 paid by social workers in England, and £120 per year paid by nurses and midwives to the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

The Health and Social Care Delivery Plan published in December 2016 set out clear actions and milestones to deliver our 2020 Vision for better patient care and population health. This includes commitments on NHS Board reform in order to deliver better outcomes for people and communities across Scotland.

The following actions on Health board reform will be taken forward in 2017 as part of the Delivery Plan:

Review the functions of existing national NHS Boards to explore the scope for more effective and consistent delivery of national services;

Ensure that NHS boards expand the 'Once for Scotland' approach to support functions;

Start a comprehensive programme for leadership and talent management within NHS Scotland.

The Delivery Plan also includes a commitment to put in place new arrangements for regional planning of services. As a first step, NHS boards have been asked to set out in their draft Local Delivery Plans for 2017-18 the practical early steps that they are taking to co-operate fully in regional planning and delivery of services, with a more fully developed approach in final plans to be submitted by September 2017.

The Scottish Social Services Council, although an independent professional regulator, is a Non Departmental Public Body and subject to the normal governance procedures for Scotland’s NDPBs. The Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 sets out the responsibilities of the SSSC with regard to setting registration fees and consulting with appropriate persons on proposed changes. The levels of registration fees payable are contained within the SSSC Registration Rules. Any changes to the Rules require the consent of Scottish Ministers.

Ministers were informed by the SSSC of their plans to consult on registration fee increases and have consented to the decision made by the SSSC to raise registration fees for the first time since they were set in 2003.

The fee levels vary for different groups of workers and likewise the level of the increases will vary. I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-07590 on
13 March 2017 for specific details. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The delivery of social services is carried out by providers in the public, voluntary and independent sectors and we recognise the challenges faced by these employers in attracting people to become care workers. A key element in attracting people to work is making sure that people working in the sector receive a fair wage. In addition to the £250 million we provided to meet the commitment for the Living Wage of £8.25 per hour for adult care workers as of October 2016 and to support sustainability in the sector, we have announced a further £100 million for the continued delivery of the Living Wage, at £8.45 per hour from May 2017. Similarly our intent in establishing the Fair Work Convention to advise us is so that we can make progress across a range of aspects which affect the choices people make about where they want to work.

Our commitment to the care sector is also demonstrated by our investment in the work of the Scottish Social Services Council which is aimed at ensuring that social service workers are supported by their employers to develop their skills and knowledge so that they are part of a high quality, safe and valued workforce. The SSSC, which is a Scottish Government NDPB, has produced a number of different resources to support those looking to recruit staff and for those looking at a career in the care sector. The resources are also of use for others such as career advisers and Jobcentre Plus. One example of this is the SSSC's Ambassadors for Careers in Care scheme. The Ambassadors are people who are currently working in the sector at all levels and in different types service delivery who attend events, visit schools and careers fairs to promote careers in the sector.

The decision to implement an ambulatory care model at the Centre for Integrative Care (CIC) will not change the range and type of services delivered. All therapies currently provided are available Monday to Friday, usually between 0900 to 1700. Therefore, the day service will continue to be delivered as at present.

I wrote to John Brown CBE, Chairman of NHS GG&C, in December 2016 to ask the Board to monitor the implementation of the move to an ambulatory care model over the next six months. I therefore expect to receive a progress report in due course.

Increasing Carer’s Allowance to the same level as Job Seeker’s Allowance is one of the key commitments we have made in respect of our new social security powers. This commitment reflects the recognition we give to carers who make such an important contribution to our society.

Carer’s Allowance will increase annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The Scottish Government worked closely with key stakeholders to develop the Partnership for Action on Drugs in Scotland (PADS), including its membership.

Members of the pharmacy profession are represented on the PADS Harm Reduction subgroup with individuals from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Forth Valley. In addition, expertise is augmented as required on the main PADS group and sub groups.