MSPs voice concerns over Carers Bill costs

The Scottish Government's bill to improve the position of carers could require much greater funding than has been allowed for, the Holyrood committee examining the bill has warned.

In their stage 1 report on the Carers (Scotland) Bill, published today, MSPs on Holyrood's Health & Sport Committee back the general principles of the bill but call on ministers to address their concerns that the projected implementation costs may be underestimated and that this may have a detrimental effect on other care services. They call on the Government to commit to providing additional funding should the costs turn out to be significantly higher. 

In evidence before the committee, local authorities and carer organisations alike warned that the figures provided were likely to be an underestimate. One carer witness said that a lack of adequate resources would make it “very difficult for local authorities to implement the duties, and that may result in cuts to other services”.

Among other points highlighted by the committee:

• there is a concern that too broad a definition of "carer" could reduce local authorities' ability to prioritise people most in need, when allocating resources; 
• there should be more effective provision for involving carers when cared-for people are admitted to, and in particular discharged from, hospital, in order to avoid unnecessary readmissions to hospital;
• further consideration should be given to balancing the desirability of eligibility criteria for support being set nationally, with allowing local authorities to prioritise in line with local needs;
• schools should play a greater role in identifying and supporting young carers;
• further clarity should be provided on what may be offered to carers under the term "short break", and what constitutes such a break;
• the focus of the Bill should be to support and enhance existing carer information and advice services, and only require the establishment of new services where necessary.

The committee also recommends that there should be a greater emphasis in the bill on the role of the NHS (along with integrated authorities where appropriate) in the preparation of local carer strategies, and that the duty to consult health boards should make explicit reference to establishing an integrated strategy for identifying and supporting adult and young carers. A number of witnesses maintained that the identification of carers could be greatly improved by requiring GP practices to maintain carer registers.

Convener Duncan McNeil MSP commented: “Our committee believes that this legislation will significantly contribute to supporting carers. However, we have a number of concerns which we are asking the Scottish Government to urgently address.

“We are also calling for assurances from the Scottish Government that this bill actually has the resources behind it to deliver the step change that it promises on paper.”