Local authorities to demand cash to ease care homes crisis

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities is to demand extra
funds immediately from the Scottish executive in an attempt to
address the growing private care crisis.

The convention will demand top-up funds from the Scottish
executive for this year to allow negotiations with Scottish Care,
the organisation which represents the majority of private home
owners, to proceed effectively.

Rita Miller, Cosla’s social work spokesperson, said:
“Cosla is determined to protect Scotland’s elderly by finding
a working solution to the current problems faced in this area.”

“Councils recognise that we need to find a workable solution as
quickly as possible and we take our responsibility very seriously
indeed,” she said.

But Cosla made it clear it was not simply conceding to Scottish
Care’s argument for an additional £50 per resident per
week, and that a longer term solution had to be found.

Miller warned: “Let me make one thing clear to Scottish Care
– we will go ahead with the longer term review with or
without them because it is the right way to address this issue
– our people deserve nothing less.”