New Cross-Party Working Group Formed to Address Care Crisis

A significant conference on adult social care was held in Fort William on March 15, 2024, resulting in the announcement of a new cross-party working group aimed at addressing the escalating crisis in service provision across the Highlands. Co-hosted by Skye MP Angus MacDonald and MSP Kate Forbes, the Highland Care Conference gathered health and social care professionals, NHS Highland staff, local councillors, and sector leaders to explore the pressing challenges of rural care delivery.

This conference followed the release of a report by Mr. MacDonald outlining the severe issues facing the Highland care sector. The report highlighted a growing crisis fueled by an ageing population, workforce shortages, and a notable decline in care home capacity. Over the past decade, the Highlands have lost nearly one in five care homes for older individuals, despite a surge of more than 70 percent in the population aged 75 and over.

During his address, Mr. MacDonald addressed the substantial human and financial costs associated with inaction, citing that over £154 million has been lost due to delayed hospital discharges within the last ten years. He stated, “Families will continue to face heartbreak as loved ones are sent hundreds of miles from home because there’s simply nowhere local to go. That’s not dignity, and it’s not sustainable.”

To combat these issues, Mr. MacDonald reiterated his call for the Scottish Government to invest in four new 60-bed “care clusters” with on-site staff accommodation in strategic locations: Skye, Fort William, Ullapool, and Fort Augustus. These integrated hubs would provide not only residential and respite care but also step-down beds and housing for staff. This initiative is expected to mitigate delayed discharges and bolster the rural workforce, ultimately leading to long-term investments in Highland communities.

Expert Insights and Collaborative Solutions

The conference featured insights from prominent figures, including Professor Andy Elder and Dr. Donald Macaskill, local NHS Highland doctors, along with representatives from NHS Education for Scotland. Discussions focused on vital topics such as workforce recruitment and retention, funding reform, and the necessity for long-term rural care planning.

Dr. Macaskill, from Scottish Care, emphasized the societal need to value older individuals and social work, warning of “endemic age discrimination in the UK.” Mr. MacDonald underscored the urgency of the situation, stating, “We can’t go on patching things up year by year and firefighting the issue. We already knew 15 years ago that we would face far greater demand for care beds, yet capacity has fallen by 20 percent. If we fail to act now, we’ll be letting down our parents and future generations.”

The call for collaborative action resonated throughout the conference. Mr. MacDonald articulated that addressing the crisis necessitates cooperation across all levels of government and political consensus. He expressed satisfaction with the Scottish Government’s commitment to forming a working group focused on Highland care, stressing that this effort must include all stakeholders, including local authorities, care providers, and the community.

Commitment to Action and Future Planning

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes remarked on the significance of the conference, stating, “The Care Conference was an important step forward in addressing the real challenges facing adult social care across the Highlands.” She acknowledged the pressing issues regarding recruitment and resources but also highlighted a shared determination to seek long-term solutions.

Going forward, both Mr. MacDonald and Ms. Forbes expressed their commitment to ensuring that all community members can access high-quality care and support. As they prepare to tackle the challenges ahead, the focus remains on building a sustainable model of care that could serve as a blueprint for other regions.

The Highland Care Conference marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue surrounding adult social care, with the potential for significant improvements in the quality and accessibility of services for older individuals in the Highlands and beyond.