Joint boards facing workforce pressures and financial challenges

Responding to a new report from the Accounts Commission which warns that Integrated Joint Boards are facing financial and workforce challenges amid rising demand and states that "Change is needed now - it cannot wait for a National Care Service", Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Willie Rennie said:

"Care services are stretched to breaking point. More and more demands on the service are simply not being met because the staff are simply not there.

"The Commission is quite clear that change is needed now. Humza Yousaf should scrap his doomed takeover of social care,

“The First Minister needs to listen to those he ignored and opposed as Health Secretary. The trade unions, COSLA, health board bosses, his own backbenchers and numerous other organisations, all of whom say his proposals won’t work.

“Building a billion-pound bureaucracy which won’t address the core problems in the sector is simply baffling.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats want to see this money spent on better pay, conditions and career progression for staff now, as well as bringing in guaranteed standards and entitlements for those who depend on social care.”