Scottish leadership promises free personal care before Christmas

Legislation introducing free personal care for older people is
to be presented to the Scottish parliament before Christmas. The
announcement came as part of first minister Henry McLeish’s
listing of Scottish parliamentary business for this term and
confirms the executive’s commitments earlier this year.

The details to be considered are currently being drawn up by the
care development group, chaired by Malcolm Chisholm, deputy
minister for community care, and comprising statutory and voluntary
social care organisations. Sir Stewart Sutherland, chairperson of
the Royal Commission on Long Term Care, is also working with the
group as a consultant.

Originally due to report in August and then postponed until
September, the care development group will now publish its
recommendations early in October.