The Covid pandemic made it clear that standards across Scotland’s care industry were patchy at best and downright dangerous at worst.
The fragmented nature of the system – a mixture of council-run services and private providers – meant there was a lack of joined-up thinking when the national health emergency was declared four years ago.
Care home providers have since argued they were badly let down at the highest levels when it came to policies such as allowing patients to be discharged from hospitals without being first tested for Covid.
Ongoing public inquiries will provide some answers into what went wrong.
But the need for reform remains as Scotland has an ageing society. Demand for residential care services is increasing year-on-year.
The Scottish Government attempted to tackle the growing issue by insisting it would look to establish a national care service.
But despite its name, there would be no attempt to bring all care homes under public control. Private provision would be allowed to continue.
Instead, local authorities became increasingly alarmed at what they viewed as an unsubtle attempt to centralise control of their own staff.
Cosla, which represents councils, has walked away from the process as a result. Trade unions representing care workers have withdrawn support for the plan.
And now senior bosses at the NHS are the latest group to sound the alarm over the Government’s proposals.
Despite it being well-intentioned, it seems there is little appetite for this flagship SNP policy.
It’s now up to the Government to get concerned parties back round the table.
Otherwise badly needed reforms could be delayed for years.
Foul play by firms
PICTURES of blood and effluent pouring into the pristine River Lochy are stomach-churning.
This is just the latest disgraceful incident of river pollution in Scotland we have had to report.
It wouldn’t be the first time irresponsible firms have trashed our world-famous water courses through incompetence or negligence.
Whatever has happened here – and whoever the culprit is – it’s completely unacceptable to contaminate the natural environment like this, not least in an iconic Highland setting.
We are a country which takes pride in our stunning rivers, lochs and seas.
When Sepa finds those responsible, it needs to throw the book at them.
And there needs to be stricter punishments for those who destroy our outstanding natural beauty.
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