Holyrood’s health committee is asking social care providers for their views on how well the Care Inspectorate is working.

The committee is assessing whether the regulator has fulfilled its statutory duties and how well it has performed during the covid-19 pandemic – also asking what ‘wider role and contribution’ it could make as part of future reforms.

A separate inquiry into social care that started before the pandemic has already been extended to take account of the effects of covid-19 and lessons for the future of care in Scotland.

The call for evidence comes ahead of a planned evidence session on 25 August when MSPs will question the care watchdog’s leaders.

Interested parties can submit their views online.

healthandcare.scot reported last month that the Care Inspectorate had warned of a shortage of inspectors before the pandemic but a proposal to address this was deemed “not affordable” because of a funding shortage.

There are growing calls for major changes to social care in Scotland, with Nicola Sturgeon voicing sympathy for the idea of a national care service.

However critics say a national system would take away choice and control from individuals.

Health secretary Jeane Freeman has backed a “full-scale” review of the care home sector in Scotland, including looking at the model of care being provided by a variety of private, public and third sector organisations.

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