STUC withdraw support for SNP takeover of care services Responding to the news that the STUC has withdrawn support for the Scottish Government’s proposed centralisation of care services, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: For too long an attitude of “SNP ministers know best” has blighted the management of public services. This legislation has […]
social care
5-6 October 2024 – the weekend press releases
Children with developmental concerns almost doubles McArthur launches probe into proposed use of live facial recognition tech New survey lays bare crisis in social care Children with developmental concerns almost doubles Scottish Liberal Democrat communities spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP has today urged the SNP government to do far more to support children from poorer backgrounds, […]
1 October 2024 – yesterday’s press releases (part 2)
Veterans facing homelessness reaches five-year high Record high levels of people stuck in hospital August A&E waiting times the worst on record for the month Operations activity still well down on pre-pandemic levels Cole-Hamilton comments on NHS dental deregistration in Dumfries & Galloway Veterans facing homelessness reaches five-year high Commenting on the news that in […]
27 September 2024 – today’s press releases
Cole-Hamilton responds to Scottish Conservative leadership news Council opposition “must be final nail in coffin” for care service takeover Cole-Hamilton responds to Scottish Conservative leadership news Responding to the election of Russell Findlay as Scottish Conservative leader, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: I’d like to congratulate Russell Findlay on being elected as Scottish […]
A whole systems approach to solving the health and social care crisis
The Health and Social Care Bill currently in the House of Lords is intended to: sort out the under-funding of social care; remove the need for people to sell their houses to pay for their care; promote joined-up service delivery; replace the competitive model with a collaborative one. Sadly, as I wrote here, it appears […]
No need to break any election pledges to fix social care
So, the Government is to pour more and more money into the first aid camp at the bottom of the cliff rather than building a fence at the top. Yesterday’s announcement on the funding for social care does nothing to enhance the quality of life of older people or reduce the demand for hospital treatment […]
Munira Wilson: Coercion is not the answer to vaccine hesitancy
Last night, Liberal Democrat MPs voted against the Government’s Statutory Instrument which made vaccinations compulsory for care home staff. Munira Wilson, our health spokesperson, had a right go at the Government for its approach, pointing out that the care sector had long been undervalued and the Government’s approach had let down so many staff and […]
Boris on Care: wrong words, right target
The corporate voice of the care sector is up in arms about the PM’s comments on care. Of course, his remarks about care homes, not following procedures were sly and clumsy, but he is right that the care sector should shoulder some of the blame for the virtual decimation of their aged residents. Clap for […]
Sal Brinton on Government “lie” on care homes and Covid-19
Lie is not a word anyone in politics uses lightly. But Lib Dems Lords Health and Social Care spokesperson Sal Brinton used it today in response to Michael Gove’s interview on the Andrew Marr Show . But this lie that the Gvt has already put a protective ring round care homes is a lie direct. […]
I now know I have PTSD and it is Liberating
I am not quite sure when I first encountered the ‘Black Dog’ but he has pretty much been on the premises for the last ten years. The crash as I like to call it came on 9th October 2009 when the pressures of a full-time job and caring finally took their toll. I remember waking […]