MacDonald urges SNP to commit to West Highlands care review

Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, Angus MacDonald, has today urged the SNP government to immediately commit to a care review for the West Highlands.

It comes a year after Angus MacDonald hosted a care conference in Fort William with former Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes.

Following the conference, then Minister for Social Care Tom Arthur committed to set up a working group to review care bed capacity in the West Highlands.

Under the currently serving Minister for Community Care, Alison Thewliss, this working group has yet to be appointed.

Mr MacDonald also published a report into the state of care in the West Highlands, which found that in the last 20 years, the Highlands has lost more than 20 care homes and over 200 beds.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has highlighted that the Prime Minister’s National Care Service could result in a £1 billion boost to Scotland as a result of Barnett consequentials. Mr MacDonald is calling on the SNP government to make the most of that extra funding when it comes.

Angus MacDonald MP said:

“The West Highlands is experiencing one of the most severe demographic crises in the UK.

“Care homes have closed while demand has increased. Too many hospital beds are occupied by elderly people who would be better looked after in care homes closer to their families.

“The SNP government must finally commit to a review of care in the West Highlands, as it promised a year ago.

“If Alison Thweliss does the work now, we will be well-positioned to take advantage of the funding from Westminster when it comes.

“Further prevarication is the last thing that my constituents need. Ministers have a real opportunity to reform care in the West Highlands for the better- they must not waste it.”